Female Asthma Has a Negative Effect on Fertility: What Is the Connection?

Gade, Elisabeth Juul; Thomsen, Simon Francis; Lindenberg, Svend; Backer, Vibeke

doi:10.1155/2014/131092

Cited by 19 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…It is worth emphasising that there are many causes of subclinical inflammation that may persist in patients for a long time, causing a similar cytokine profile as in the abovementioned diseases. For example, in atopic diseases such as bronchial asthma, there is increased activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-α, which in turn promotes a NK-cell and neutrophil-mediated response [39,40].…”

Section: Cytokines In Follicular Fluidmentioning

confidence: 99%

Function of Follicular Cytokines: Roles Played during Maturation, Development and Implantation of Embryo

et al. 2021

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A balance within the immune system is necessary for the proper development of ovarian follicles. Numerous cytokines were detected in follicular fluid, the role of which in reproductive physiology seems crucial. They influence the development and maturation of the follicle, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation, as well as embryo implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. The analysis of follicular fluid requires its collection by puncturing of the ovary, which is usually executed in connection with various gynaecological procedures. When interpreting such test results, clinical indications for a given procedure and the method of patient preparation should be taken into account. This review revealed the results of currently available studies on the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in follicular fluid in various forms of infertility. Additionally, it presented cytokines, whose concentration has a significant impact on the size of ovarian follicles, their number, the effectiveness of in vitro fertilisation, development of the embryo, and chances of correct implantation. Despite the many recent publications, the knowledge of follicular fluid immunology in the context of reproductive pathology is superficial and further research is required to extensively understand the roles of individual cytokines in reproductive pathology. In the future, this knowledge may enable patients’ individual qualifications to individual methods of infertility treatment, as well as the possible adjustment of the treatment regimen to the patient’s immune profile.

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Section: Cytokines In Follicular Fluidmentioning

confidence: 99%

Function of Follicular Cytokines: Roles Played during Maturation, Development and Implantation of Embryo

et al. 2021

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“…A recent study demonstrates that time to pregnancy is prolonged in asthmatic females, especially in women with moderate to severe asthma due to unknown reasons [ 16 ]. However, it remains to be determined whether asthma or severe asthma has a negative effect on the male fertility.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Activation of Bcl-2-Caspase-9 Apoptosis Pathway in the Testis of Asthmatic Mice

Guo

et al. 2016

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundApoptosis plays a critical role in controlling the proliferation and differentiation of germ cells during spermatogenesis. Dysregulation of the fine-tuned balance may lead to the onset of testicular diseases. In this study, we investigated the activation status of apoptosis pathways in the testicular tissues under the background of an asthmatic mouse model.MethodsTen BALB/c mice were divided into two groups: the acute asthma group and the control group. In the acute asthma group, ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice were challenged with aerosolized OVA for 7 days, while the control group was treated with physiological saline. After that, both epididymis and testis were collected to determine the sperm count and motility. Apoptosis in the testis was evaluated by DNA ladder, immunochemistry and further by PCR array of apoptosis-related genes. Finally, the cleavage of caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) was determined by western blot and the enzymatic activities of caspase-9 and 3/7 were assessed using Caspase-Glo kits.ResultsCompared with control mice, significant decreases in the body weight, testis weight, sperm count and motility were seen in the experimental group. DNA ladder and immunochemistry showed significant increase in apoptotic index of the asthmatic testis, whereas a decrease in mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and increases in Bax, BNIP3, caspase-9, and AIF were observed in the asthma group. Furthermore, protein levels of AIF were significantly upregulated, while the translational expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated markedly. Consistently, caspase-9 activity in the testis of asthma mice was significantly higher than that of the control group.ConclusionCollectively, these results showed that Bcl-2-caspase-9 apoptosis pathway was clearly activated in the testis of asthmatic mice with the increased expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that asthma could lead to the activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis signaling pathway in the mouse testis.

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“…Low grade systemic inflammation arising from exposure to ambient particle level [ 63 ] could possibly be a contributing factor. Also, other inflammatory conditions such as obesity and asthma are associated with impairment of reproductive function in women, manifesting as prolonged time to pregnancy [ 13 , 64 , 65 ]. Furthermore, asthma characterized by influx of neutrophilic granulocytes is assumed to foster a more pronounced systemic inflammation, as well as a more pronounced effect on female reproductive function, as compared to eosinophilic asthma [ 13 , 64 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, other inflammatory conditions such as obesity and asthma are associated with impairment of reproductive function in women, manifesting as prolonged time to pregnancy [ 13 , 64 , 65 ]. Furthermore, asthma characterized by influx of neutrophilic granulocytes is assumed to foster a more pronounced systemic inflammation, as well as a more pronounced effect on female reproductive function, as compared to eosinophilic asthma [ 13 , 64 ]. This is of particular interest in light of the present study, as the inflammatory response following lung exposure to particles is also characterized by influx of neutrophil granulocytes [ 22 , 24 , 26 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Airway exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes disrupts the female reproductive cycle without affecting pregnancy outcomes in mice

et al. 2017

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BackgroundThe use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) is increasing due to a growing use in a variety of products across several industries. Thus, occupational exposure is also of increasing concern, particularly since airway exposure to MWCNTs can induce sustained pulmonary acute phase response and inflammation in experimental animals, which may affect female reproduction. This proof-of-principle study therefore aimed to investigate if lung exposure by intratracheal instillation of the MWCNT NM-400 would affect the estrous cycle and reproductive function in female mice.ResultsEstrous cycle regularity was investigated by comparing vaginal smears before and after exposure to 67 μg of NM-400, whereas reproductive function was analyzed by measuring time to delivery of litters after instillation of 2, 18 or 67 μg of NM-400. Compared to normal estrous cycling determined prior to exposure, exposure to MWCNT significantly prolonged the estrous cycle during which exposure took place, but significantly shortened the estrous cycle immediately after the exposed cycle. No consistent effects were seen on time to delivery of litter or other gestational or litter parameters, such as litter size, sex ratio, implantations and implantation loss.ConclusionLung exposure to MWCNT interfered with estrous cycling. Effects caused by MWCNTs depended on the time of exposure: the estrous stage was particularly sensitive to exposure, as animals exposed during this stage showed a higher incidence of irregular cycling after exposure. Our data indicates that MWCNT exposure may interfere with events leading to ovulation.

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Female Asthma Has a Negative Effect on Fertility: What Is the Connection?

Cited by 19 publications

References 50 publications

Function of Follicular Cytokines: Roles Played during Maturation, Development and Implantation of Embryo

Function of Follicular Cytokines: Roles Played during Maturation, Development and Implantation of Embryo

Activation of Bcl-2-Caspase-9 Apoptosis Pathway in the Testis of Asthmatic Mice

Airway exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes disrupts the female reproductive cycle without affecting pregnancy outcomes in mice

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