Mast cells in the tubal wall in women using an intrauterine contraceptive device

Abstract

Summary. The number of mast cells in the tubal wall of 33 healthy non‐pregnant women, 17 of whom had an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), was investigated. Light microscopy showed that both the muscularis externa and the lamina propria of the tubal wall contained more mast cells in the 17 IUCD users than in the 16 non‐users (control group). In both patient groups the mast cell concentration was higher in the muscularis externa than in the lamina propria. Most mast cells of the muscularis externa were more closely related to smooth muscle cells than to blood vessels. The increased number of mast cells in IUCD users may be a factor in the pathogenesis of pelvic inflammatory disease and the ectopic pregnancies that occur in IUCD users.

Telocytes damage in endometriosis‐affected rat oviduct and potential impact on fertility

“…Meanwhile, as we know, MCs were known to be multifunctional players in local immune system. Uncontrolled augmentations in quantity, and/or activation of MCs can not only change SMC motility, microcirculation and contribute to sensation of pelvic pain or hyperalgesia in EMs , but also lead to pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage, tubal infertility and tubal ectopic pregnancy . Therefore, impaired MCs‐mediated innate immunity (activation or repression) causes associated oviduct dysfunction or pelvic pain/dysmenorrhoea in EMs, involved in oviduct dysmotility, further influences intratubal fertilization process and contributed to EMs‐associated fertility problems.…”

Reduced expression and concomitant promoter hypermethylation of HOXA10 in endometrium from women wearing intrauterine devices

“…Fertil Steril 2010. knowledge this is the first report that wearing IUDs for an extended period is associated with, and likely responsible for, higher frequency of DNA methylation in the endometrium. The IUD usage reportedly results in a significant influx of inflammatory cells in the uterine cavity and the tubal wall (5,6,33). Stimulation with one proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-1b, which is known to be involved in the inflammatory immune response (34), is reported to result in nearly 90% decrease in HOXA10 expression in decidual cells (35).…”