Reproduction Abstracts

Introduction: Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder, associated with debilitating pelvic pain. We believe the pain is due to neuroinflammation: growth of sensory neurons and their subsequent hypersensitisation by macrophage-derived cytokines within the lesion. We explored the regulation of neuroinflammation by estrogen receptor (ER) modulators.Materials and methods: Peritoneum and lesions were collected from women with and without ...

Miscarriage affects one in five pregnancies and has serious physical and psychological implications for the patient. Maternal infections account for 15% of miscarriages. Chlamydia trachomatis has been associated with miscarriage however the epidemiological data to support this are conflicting. The mechanism explaining the association is also unknown. Our objective was to determine whether C. trachomatis infection leads to miscarriage by impacting upon endomet...

Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic, hormone-dependent disorder characterized by the establishment and growth of endometrial tissue in extra-uterine sites, typically within the peritoneal cavity and causes debilitating pain. We have shown that peritoneal mesothelial cells recovered from the women with endometriosis have an altered energy metabolism with increased biosynthesis of lactate as a result of increased aerobic glycolysis. We hypothesize that ectopic endometrial t...

Introduction: An ectopic pregnancy (EP) is defined as a conceptus implanting outside of the uterine cavity, most commonly in the Fallopian tube. It is a life-threatening gynaecological condition with limited treatment options. Large and unstable EP are managed by surgical excision. Smaller stable EP are medically managed with the chemotherapeutic drug methotrexate. Methotrexate has considerable side effects and a high treatment failure rate (~30%). There is an unmet medical ne...

Introduction: Androgen receptors (AR) have been detected in the human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and are reported to regulate expression of genes associated with cellular proliferation and cell-cycle regulation. Endometriosis is defined by establishment and growth of endometrial tissue in ectopic locations (typically on the peritoneal wall); patients often experience pain and infertility. In the current study we have used human tissue and a new mouse model of e...

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) can induce The Warburg-effect, or aerobic glycolysis, in tumorigenesis. Energy-rich lactate, a by-product of glycolysis, ‘feeds’ tumour cells and increases apoptosis resistance, angiogenesis, and invasion, fuelling tumour progression and metastasis. As TGFβ is increased in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis, we asked, is there a Warburg-like effect at play in endometriosis.Peritonea...

Introduction: Ectopic pregnancy is unique to humans and a leading cause of maternal morbidity/mortality however the etiology remains unknown. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has roles in extravillous-trophoblast adhesion/invasion and is expressed in ectopic pregnancy. We hypothesised that LIF facilitates blastocyst adhesion/invasion in the fallopian tube (FT), contributing to ectopic pregnancy. LIF blockade could serve as a treatment strategy.Methods: W...