ijms-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Molecular Pathology Research on Pregnant Uterus, Uterine Infections and Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2025 | Viewed by 2606

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Understanding the physiological–pathological mechanisms of pregnancy through molecular research in uterine biology can have an impact on the labor and the manner of birth, particularly during cesarean sections, and its long-term effects. Understanding the biological processes at play during pregnancy and childbirth may help develop fresh approaches to management of labor and delivery-related issues, enhancing both the mother's and the baby's health. To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying uterine biology and pregnancy, and to apply these discoveries to everyday clinical practice, further study is required. It is necessary to examine the molecular mechanisms that underlie the uterine response to pregnancy and delivery, as well as that of other organs, and their long-term effects. Several chemical mechanisms, including hormones, cytokines, and growth factors, control the biological changes that occur in the uterus and the body during pregnancy. It is crucial to comprehend these procedures if we are to handle pregnancy, labor, and birthing difficulties more effectively. The molecular mechanisms of uterine contractions, including the function of oxytocin, calcium signaling, and ion channels, have been the subject of recent research. These could be crucial in the creation of novel induction drugs and, ideally, in a decline in the rate of cesarean sections. Studies that pinpoint the growth factors, cytokines, interleukins, TNF, and other molecular pathways implicated in uterine repair may help advance our understanding of these pathways, accelerate healing, and reduce problems. To this, we must add other problems that intersect with the pregnant uterus, including uterine infections and related pathologies. The term uterine infection indicates that the uterus is contaminated with pathogenic organisms. In addition to reducing reproductive efficiency, uterine infections usually increase herd health costs, often reduce feed consumption, and cause an appreciable reduction in milk production. Furthermore, intrauterine bacterial infections are connected to other pathological processes, including endometriosis. This Special Issue focuses on molecular research into these intersecting pathological issues.

Prof. Dr. Andrea Tinelli
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

 

Keywords

  • pregnancy
  • labor
  • delivery
  • uterine infection
  • endometritis
  • endometriosis

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 8046 KiB  
Article
An Analysis of the Digestive and Reproductive Tract Microbiota in Infertile Women with Obesity
by Jose Bellver, Marta Gonzalez-Monfort, Sandra González, Bruno Toson, Elena Labarta, Gemma Castillón, Giulia Mariani, Carmina Vidal, Juan Giles, Fabio Cruz, Agustin Ballesteros, Marcos Ferrando, Juan Antonio García-Velasco, Diana Valbuena, Felipe Vilella, Marcos Parras-Molto, Esther Tercero-Atencia, Carlos Simon and Inmaculada Moreno
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12600; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312600 (registering DOI) - 23 Nov 2024
Abstract
Previous studies have linked the microbiome of distinct body habitats to obesity and infertility; however, the often-divergent results observed have left the role of the so-called “second genome” in obese infertile patients incompletely explored. Here, we present a prospective observational multicenter study of [...] Read more.
Previous studies have linked the microbiome of distinct body habitats to obesity and infertility; however, the often-divergent results observed have left the role of the so-called “second genome” in obese infertile patients incompletely explored. Here, we present a prospective observational multicenter study of oral, gut, endometrial, and vaginal microbiota of infertile patients classified according to BMI. Patients collected saliva/fecal samples, while vaginal/endometrial fluid samples were collected in the clinic. Total bacterial DNA was extracted, and microbiota profiles were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our results showed no differences in the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio (proposed obesity hallmark) in the gut microbiota between patients with obesity and normal weight; however, a tendency for higher levels of genera such as Escherichia-Shigella in normal-weight patients was observed; in comparison, patients with obesity possessed increased numbers of Parasutterella and Roseburia. In the reproductive tract, vaginal samples possessed a similar microbiota to endometrial fluid, both largely colonised by Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, and Streptococcus, supporting the hypothesis that uterine colonisation proceeds from vaginal bacteria ascension. Additionally, higher prevalence of a Streptococcus-dominated (>50%) endometrial microbiota was observed among patients with obesity. This first description of the human digestive and reproductive tract microbiota in infertile women with obesity may explain their poor reproductive outcomes. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

11 pages, 259 KiB  
Review
Uterine Aging and Reproduction: Dealing with a Puzzle Biologic Topic
by Andrea Tinelli, Mladen Andjić, Andrea Morciano, Giovanni Pecorella, Antonio Malvasi, Antonio D’Amato and Radmila Sparić
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010322 - 25 Dec 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1828
Abstract
Uterine aging is the process of the senescence of uterine tissue, observed in all middle-aged mammals. Since the aging-related changes in the uterus are associated with infertility and poor pregnancy outcomes, with a lack of studies discussing uterine aging, authors reviewed uterine aging [...] Read more.
Uterine aging is the process of the senescence of uterine tissue, observed in all middle-aged mammals. Since the aging-related changes in the uterus are associated with infertility and poor pregnancy outcomes, with a lack of studies discussing uterine aging, authors reviewed uterine aging and its consequences on reproduction. MEDLINE, Scopus, and PubMed searches during the years 1990–2023 were performed using a combination of keywords and terms on such topics. According to the author’s evaluation, articles were identified, selected, and included in this narrative review. The aging process has an unfavorable impact on the uterus of mammals. There are different and selected molecular pathways related to uterine aging in humans and animals. Uterine aging impairs the function of the uterine myometrium, neurofibers of the human uterus, and human endometrium. These biological pathways modulate oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory response, inflammation, mitochondrial function, DNA damage repair, etc. All these dysregulations have a role in poorer reproductive performance and pregnancy outcomes in older mammals. The most recent data suggest that uterine aging is accompanied by genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, and immunological changes. Uterine aging has a negative impact on the reproductive performance in mammalian species, but it could be potentially modulated by pharmacological agents, such as quercetin and dasatinib. Full article
Back to TopTop