The Emerging Role of MicroRNAs in Female Reproductive Diseases

Abstract

Female infertility represents a significant global medical concern, attributable to a spectrum of disorders affecting the reproductive system, which encompasses premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Asherman syndrome (AS), endometriosis, preeclampsia, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. It exerts a pervasive impact on women's reproductive well-being on a global scale. Recent years have witnessed a mounting body of evidence, drawing from investigations employing murine models and human clinical data, which elucidates the dysfunction of microRNAs (miRNAs) in various reproductive pathologies. This dysfunction, it appears, plays a pivotal role in the context of female gametogenesis and fertility. Nonetheless, the precise mechanistic links between miRNA dysfunction and the pathogenesis of these disorders remain, in many cases, inadequately understood. This comprehensive review endeavors to shed light on recent advancements in research pertaining to the regulatory functions of miRNAs in the etiology of diverse reproductive disorders that culminate in infertility. Furthermore, it addresses the potential utility of miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for these conditions. The paper also examines the existing limitations and challenges inherent to the clinical application of miRNAs in this context.