Affiliation:
1. Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
2. School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Abstract
Seminal plasma (SP) accounts for more than 90% of semen volume. It induces inflammation, regulates immune tolerance, and facilitates embryonic development and implantation in the female reproductive tract. In the physiological state, SP promotes endometrial decidualization and causes changes in immune cells such as macrophages, natural killer cells, regulatory T cells, and dendritic cells. This leads to the secretion of cytokines and chemokines and also results in the alteration of miRNA profiles and the expression of genes related to endometrial tolerance and angiogenesis. Together, these changes modulate the endometrial immune microenvironment and contribute to implantation and pregnancy. However, in pathological situations, abnormal alterations in SP due to advanced age or poor diet in men can interfere with a woman’s immune adaptation to pregnancy, negatively affecting embryo implantation and even the health of the offspring. Uterine pathologies such as endometriosis and endometritis can cause the endometrium to respond negatively to SP, which can further contribute to pathological progress and interfere with conception. The research on the mechanism of SP in the endometrium is conducive to the development of new targets for intervention to improve reproductive outcomes and may also provide new ideas for semen-assisted treatment of clinical infertility.
Funder
Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, HUST
Open Fund of NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Henan Key Laboratory of Population Defects Prevention
Subject
Inorganic Chemistry,Organic Chemistry,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry,Computer Science Applications,Spectroscopy,Molecular Biology,General Medicine,Catalysis
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