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Altered Molecular Pathways and Biomarkers of Endometrial Receptivity in Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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Abstract

Anovulation is the most prominent cause of infertility in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. Although ovulation can be corrected pharmacologically, the number of pregnancies remains low. Even if excellent embryos are transferred by IVF, it does not change the high miscarriage rate of PCOS patients. These facts collectively indicate that there is a disorder of endometrial development and receptivity to the embryo in PCOS patients, including the decrease of receptive ability, inhibition of embryo adhesion, undersupply of energy, poor blood perfusion, and pro-inflammatory status in the endometrium. However, it has never received the same attention as ovulatory dysfunction. Here we list some alternations of endometrial receptivity in women with PCOS, discuss the underlying intricate mechanisms, and try to find out the possible therapeutic targets, which may bring new perspectives to those who are able to provide high-quality embryos.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai (No.19ZR1406700 to SHI Yingli) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81471438 to SHI Yingli).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China

    Fei Guo, Taniya Fernando & Yingli Shi

  2. Department of Pharmacy, Mindong Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Ningde, 355000, Fujian, China

    Yufan Huang

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  1. Fei Guo
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  2. Yufan Huang
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  4. Yingli Shi
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YLS conceived this idea. FG and YFH took part in the literature retrieval. FG wrote the manuscript, and Taniya checked the writing of the essay. All authors listed have made a substantial, direct, and intellectual contribution to the work and approved it for publication.

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Correspondence to Yingli Shi.

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Guo, F., Huang, Y., Fernando, T. et al. Altered Molecular Pathways and Biomarkers of Endometrial Receptivity in Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Reprod. Sci. 29, 3335–3345 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-022-00845-x

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