Reproduction & fertility最新文献

{"title":"Macrophage efferocytosis in pregnancy and pregnancy complications.","authors":"Chloe A Brady, Kylie B R Belchamber","doi":"10.1530/RAF-26-0041","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-26-0041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Efferocytosis is a vital process during early placental development that removes apoptotic cells generated through decidualisation and controls inflammation. As pregnancy progresses and levels of apoptotic placental cells increase, macrophage efferocytosis remains essential to maintain a healthy pregnancy. There is mounting evidence that dysfunctional macrophage efferocytosis is implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple pregnancy complications. This includes disorders of malplacentation, such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, wherein impaired spiral artery remodelling and inflammation in the decidua impair placental vascularisation leading to maternal hypertension, or impaired fetal growth. As a shift in macrophage phenotype and cytokine secretion is required for the onset of labour, alterations in phenotype earlier in pregnancy may be associated with preterm birth. In rarer pregnancy complications, such as chronic histiocytic intervillositis, impaired efferocytosis and wound healing by infiltrating intervillous, macrophages may contribute to their excessive recruitment into the intervillous space, hindering placental function. In this review, we describe the importance of efferocytosis by various maternal macrophage populations in the placenta and review the evidence of how impaired efferocytosis contributes to pathology. Furthermore, therapeutic targeting of macrophage efferocytosis and how this may be used to prevent or treat obstetric conditions are explored.</p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>During pregnancy, the body must safely clear away any dead cells in the womb to allow the placenta to grow and develop properly. This clean-up process is called efferocytosis, and it is carried out by immune cells known as macrophages. By removing these dying cells, macrophages help prevent inflammation and create the right environment for a healthy pregnancy. When efferocytosis does not work as it should, it can contribute to pregnancy complications. For example, if dead cells are not removed, the mother may develop high blood pressure, or the baby may not grow as expected. In rare pregnancy conditions, too many macrophages build up in the placenta. This build-up can interfere with the placenta's ability to support the baby and can lead to stillbirth. In this review, we discuss why macrophage efferocytosis is so important for normal placental development and explore how problems in this process may lead to disease. We also consider new treatment ideas that could help control how macrophages work to prevent or manage pregnancy complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13482793/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148633211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sex-specific associations between psychological resilience and blastocyst quality.","authors":"Georges Raad, Youmna Mourad, Gaelle El Asmar, Zalihe Yarkiner, Fatima Ibrahim, Jad El Ahdab, Münevver Serdaroğulları, Ghina Ghazeeri, Anwar Nassar, Chadi Fakih","doi":"10.1530/RAF-26-0105","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-26-0105","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Psychological resilience is an adaptive capacity that enables individuals to maintain or regain equilibrium following stress. Infertility treatment represents a significant psychological stressor for many couples. Although higher resilience has been associated with better psychological well-being in patients undergoing medically assisted reproduction, its relationship with embryological outcomes remains unknown. This study aimed to determine whether psychological resilience in couples undergoing infertility treatment is associated with blastocyst quality. In this prospective observational study, a total of 126 infertile couples who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection using fresh autologous gametes were included. Psychological resilience in both partners was assessed using the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. The numbers of mature oocytes retrieved, semen parameters, and sperm histone retention were evaluated. The primary outcome was the day 5 good-quality blastocyst development rate. Higher psychological resilience in men, but not in women, was independently associated with a higher good-quality blastocyst development rate (B = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.11, P = 0.02) and remained significant in sensitivity analyses. Male resilience was also positively correlated with sperm morphology (ρ = 0.28, P = 0.001) and inversely correlated with sperm histone retention (ρ = -0.26, P = 0.02). Psychological resilience in men, but not in women, was associated with sperm characteristics and blastocyst quality in couples undergoing infertility treatment. These findings suggest that psychological factors may be reflected in biological parameters relevant to reproduction. Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms and reproductive outcomes beyond embryo development.</p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>Psychological resilience is the ability to adapt to and recover from stressful situations. Infertility treatment can be emotionally challenging for couples, but it is not known whether resilience is related to laboratory outcomes during treatment. In this study, we assessed psychological resilience in 126 couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a fertility treatment in which one sperm is injected into each mature egg. We found that higher resilience in men was associated with better sperm characteristics and a higher rate of good-quality embryos reaching the blastocyst stage on day 5. This association was not observed in women. These findings suggest that psychological factors in men may be linked to biological features relevant to reproduction. However, this was an observational study and cannot establish cause and effect. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and to understand the biological mechanisms involved.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13545750/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148687352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vitro mouse preantral follicle development in 2D and suspension culture: α-MEM vs SAGE 1-step.","authors":"Amir Bazgir, Narges Karami, Fatemeh Hassani, Farah Farokhi, Azam Dalman","doi":"10.1530/RAF-25-0158","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-25-0158","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>The in vitro culture of immature follicles remains a challenge in reproductive biology, ART, and fertility preservation. This study investigated the impact of α-MEM and SAGE 1-Step media on mouse preantral follicle development and oocyte maturation using two-dimensional (2D) and suspension culture systems. Preantral follicles (∼130 μm) from 14-day-old NMRI mice were cultured for 13 days in either medium under 2D or suspension conditions. On day 13, hCG was added to induce meiotic resumption. We evaluated follicular growth, antrum formation, oocyte maturation, meiotic spindle organization, and expression of genes related to maturation (Bmp15, Gdf9), cumulus expansion (Has2, Ptgs2, Lhr, Adamts1), and apoptosis (Bax, Bcl2). Antral formation was higher in α-MEM in both culture systems (P > 0.05). However, SAGE 1-Step significantly improved oocyte maturation across both systems (P = 0.01 in 2D vs P = 0.006 in suspension compared to α-MEM). Spindle staining demonstrated that suspension culture significantly increased the percentage of oocytes with normal meiotic spindle organization (P = 0.002). Gene expression analysis revealed a significant upregulation of Adamts1 (P = 0.008) and downregulation of Bax (P = 0.01) in suspension culture. Furthermore, the apoptotic ratio of Bax/Bcl2 was significantly decreased in the suspension system (P = 0.01). In conclusion, the SAGE 1-Step medium significantly enhances oocyte maturation, while the suspension system superiorly preserves meiotic spindle architecture and reduces apoptosis. The combination of SAGE 1-Step and suspension culture provides an optimized microenvironment for producing high-quality oocytes.</p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>Growing immature egg outside the body, a process known as in vitro follicle culture, is a promising but challenging technique for preserving fertility. This study investigated novel approaches to improve this process, aiming to create healthier, more viable eggs for future use. The researchers found that using a specific medium significantly improved egg development and maturation. Importantly, they found that culturing these immature eggs in suspension, where the follicles remained floating in the medium, rather than in a traditional two-dimensional system where follicles inevitably flatten and partially lose their three-dimensional structure, resulted in significantly better outcomes. Eggs grown in suspension showed more organized cellular structures and reduced cell death compared to those cultured on a flat surface. These findings represent an important step toward reliably producing healthy, developmentally competent eggs outside the body, offering new hope for fertility preservation and assisted reproduction.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13393307/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148451262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global trends and insights in cervical cancer research: a bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2024.","authors":"Jianxiang Cheng, Miaoling Li, Chengcheng Li, Jin Ding, Yi Guo, Yang Shen, Xiaoyuan Hao","doi":"10.1530/RAF-25-0174","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-25-0174","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Graphical abstract: </strong></p><p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignant disease in women worldwide. Although the promotion and use of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations have, to some extent, reduced the incidence of cervical cancer, problems persist, particularly in low- and middle-income nations. This bibliometric study, which shows the worldwide landscape of cervical cancer research from 2000 to 2024 through scientometric analysis of Web of Science Core Collection publications, provides significant insights into key research topics, new trends, and the networks of collaboration within this field. Early studies concentrated on HPV's role in cervical cancer, whereas more recent studies highlight advances in HPV vaccinations, molecular biology, targeted therapies, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in cervical cancer screening. However, global health disparities, vaccine accessibility, and regional disease burden remain significant challenges. This study provides a comprehensive summary for academics, clinicians, and policymakers to inform future research efforts to reduce the global incidence of cervical cancer.</p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>Cervical cancer remains a significant health threat for women worldwide. While the development and use of the HPV vaccine have been a major step forward in prevention, this progress has not been equal everywhere. Women in low- and middle-income countries continue to be disproportionately affected. We created a detailed 'map' of all global cervical cancer research from 2000 to 2024. By analyzing thousands of scientific publications, we identified the main topics, newest trends, and how researchers around the world are collaborating. Early research focused on establishing the link between the HPV virus and cervical cancer. Today, the focus has shifted to improving HPV vaccines, understanding the disease at a molecular level, developing new targeted drugs, and using AI to improve screening accuracy. The study highlights that major obstacles remain, including unequal access to vaccines, vast global health disparities, and the heavy burden of the disease in specific regions. This comprehensive analysis serves as a valuable guide for scientists, doctors, and health policymakers. It helps direct future efforts and resources toward the most promising research, with the ultimate goal of reducing the global impact of cervical cancer on all women.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13427975/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148439452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of donkey and stallion semen preservation: effects of egg yolk plasma, seminal plasma and extenders on sperm motility, MALDI profiles and fertility.","authors":"Angélique Petit, Richard Eloy, Valérie Labas, Fabrice Reigner, Amandine Gesbert, Antoine Crampon, Philippe Barrière, Thierry Blard, Yvan Gaude, Xavier Druart","doi":"10.1530/RAF-26-0059","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-26-0059","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>The conservation of donkey breeds at risk of extinction requires the development and optimisation of semen preservation and artificial insemination strategies aimed at improving reproductive efficiency, increasing genetic diversity and supporting sustainable population management. The effects of commercial extenders (INRA96, BotuSemen Gold, Beyond), seminal plasma (SP) removal and egg yolk plasma (EYP; 0-10%) supplementation on jack semen stored at 4°C for 24-48 h were evaluated, using stallion semen as a reference. Sperm motility was assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), whereas intact-cell MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (ICM-MS) was used to characterise peptidoform and proteoform profiles. Fertility was evaluated following low-volume deep intrauterine insemination. Among the preservation strategies tested, the milk protein-based extender INRA96, SP removal and supplementation with 5% EYP were the most effective at preserving sperm motility during storage. After 24 h at 4°C, EYP-supplemented semen exhibited higher total and progressive motility and achieved a conception rate of 35%, compared with 5% for semen stored without EYP (fresh semen: 45%). These functional improvements were accompanied by dynamic remodelling of the sperm proteome, with EYP primarily mitigating cooling-induced molecular alterations rather than altering the basal sperm proteome in both jacks and stallions. The birth of four Grand Noir du Berry (GNB) foals from semen stored for 24 h provided in vivo validation of this preservation strategy and highlighted its potential to support assisted reproduction and the management of genetic diversity in donkey populations.</p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>The conservation of endangered donkey breeds relies on maintaining genetic diversity and improving reproductive success, particularly in populations with a limited number of breeding animals. This study aimed to optimise the preservation of donkey semen by evaluating different commercial extenders, as well as the effects of seminal plasma removal and egg yolk plasma supplementation during cooling, building on previous findings in the stallion. The results showed that supplementation of a milk-based extender with 5% egg yolk plasma improved sperm motility and viability after 24 h of storage at 4°C and partially limited alterations in protein profiles associated with cellular ageing. This improvement translated into a conception rate of 35%, compared with only 5% without egg yolk plasma, approaching that achieved with fresh semen (45%). The birth of four Grand Noir du Berry foals from semen stored for 24 h provides in vivo validation of this approach and opens new opportunities for assisted reproduction programmes.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13641145/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148922405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Author response to letter by Cunha-Filho & Guedes da Luz da Cunha on decreased anti-Müllerian hormone in women with superficial peritoneal endometriosis.","authors":"Meaghan Griffiths, Andrew W Horne, Philippa T K Saunders","doi":"10.1530/RAF-26-0130","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-26-0130","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":"7 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13459087/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148671899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcriptome differences in lesions by color, and cancer mutations in endometriosis.","authors":"Jeremy Y Huang, Sona Relovska, Rishi S Madnani, Li Li, Songlei Liu, Ankrish Milne, Ian N Waldman, Maya L Seshan, Anne Lindholm, Emily R Disler, Rossella M Gargiulo, Ameya S Menta, Junyi Chen, Alexandria N Young, Bradley J Quade, Antonio R Gargiulo, Marc R Laufer, Joshua Ho, Mark D Hornstein, George M Church, Michael S Rogers, Raymond M Anchan","doi":"10.1530/RAF-26-0057","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-26-0057","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Endometriosis is a disease where cells similar to those of the uterine lining grow outside of the uterus, embedding into tissues and organs in the abdominal cavity, forming lesions and causing pain and infertility. Previous studies in patients with endometriosis identified single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with the disease, as well as somatic mutations in cancer-related genes. Here, we use bulk RNA sequencing to determine transcriptome mutation profiling and differentially expressed genes in endometriotic lesions, peritoneum, and eutopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis and control patients. Differential gene expression analysis revealed differences in the transcriptome in lesions based on their color, specifically increased inflammatory processes in red lesions compared with clear lesions. Furthermore, lesions expressed an increase in cell proliferation and estrogen response genes compared with eutopic endometrium. We identified an increased occurrence of somatic mutations in cancer-associated genes ARID1A, KRAS, PIK3CA, ARHGAP35, and PBRM1, which were conserved between lesions, peritoneum, and eutopic endometrium, in patients with endometriosis without cancer. These mutations arising from eutopic endometrium may have a role in the establishment and progression of the disease. Importantly, our findings suggest that excision of the visible endometriotic lesion tissue during surgery may not be sufficient for the complete removal of the lesion, leading to recurrence.</p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows on pelvic organs, causing pain and affecting fertility. We used RNA sequencing to measure differences in gene expression across three types of tissues: lesions, endometrium, and peritoneum (the membrane that covers internal organs where endometriosis lesions grow). We found that red lesions expressed more inflammation-related genes than clear lesions and that endometriosis lesions had more signs of cell growth and estrogen response than the other tissues. We also found mutations in genes linked to cancer across the three tissues in patients without cancer. These findings suggest that endometriosis may start or spread from changes in the uterine lining and that removing only the visible lesions during surgery may not always remove all of the disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13588287/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Letter regarding decreased anti-Müllerian hormone in women with superficial peritoneal endometriosis by Griffiths et al.","authors":"João Sabino Cunha-Filho, João Guedes da Luz da Cunha","doi":"10.1530/RAF-26-0100","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-26-0100","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":"7 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13459088/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148671951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rectovaginal septum is a real location for deep endometriosis; comment on, 'the myth of rectovaginal septum endometriosis'.","authors":"Gábor Szabó","doi":"10.1530/RAF-26-0069","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-26-0069","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":"7 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13386230/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148458208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preimplantation exposure to viral dsRNA impairs decidualization leading to altered placental development and fetal growth restriction.","authors":"Jacy N Scott, Thomas M Rawlings, Laiba Jamshed, Maria Tryfonos, Zhonghua Tang, Rolando Garcia-Milian, Eric Y Huang, Paul J Brighton, Jan J Brosens, Emma S Lucas, Mancy Tong","doi":"10.1530/RAF-26-0018","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-26-0018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Graphical abstract: </strong></p><p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Viral infections are associated with early pregnancy loss and later gestational complications, including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. While viral components, including viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), have been shown to affect placental trophoblast function, how these components may affect maternal endometrial function is less understood. Endometrial stromal cells make up the bulk of the human endometrium, and they undergo a specialized hormone-driven differentiation process termed decidualization, monthly in preparation for pregnancy. We have previously shown that these stromal cells exhibit robust inflammatory responses to bacterial LPS and viral dsRNA. The goals of this study are to determine the effects of prior viral dsRNA exposure on endometrial decidualization and whether this affects subsequent placentation and pregnancy outcomes. Using a combination of 2D endometrial stromal cell cultures, 3D human endometrial assembloids, and mouse models of decidualization and pregnancy, we demonstrated that exposure to viral dsRNA (Poly(I:C)) 48 h prior to hormonal stimulation impaired decidualization in vitro and in vivo. Similarly, preimplantation exposure to Poly(I:C) on GD0.5 in timed-mated dams inhibited decidualization, reduced implantation success, and induced fetal growth restriction. This was associated with altered placentation, in particular, formation of the Syn-TII cells in the labyrinth zone, and dysregulated expression of glucose and amino acid transporters in the placenta. This work emphasizes the importance of preconception endometrial health for successful pregnancy and identifies a novel mechanism by which prior viral infection can lead to implantation failure and later pregnancy complications.</p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>Viral infections increase the risk of early pregnancy loss and later complications, such as poor fetal growth. While viruses are known to affect the placenta, less is understood about their impact on the uterine lining, which must be healthy for pregnancy to begin. The uterine lining is made up of cells that undergo changes each month called decidualization, which is driven by hormones to help with implantation. In this study, we examined how early exposure to viral infection affects decidualization and pregnancy outcomes. Using cell cultures, 3D uterine models, and mouse studies, we found that exposure to viral factors impaired decidualization, reduced embryo implantation, and disrupted fetal growth. These effects were linked to abnormal placental development and altered nutrient transport to the fetus. Overall, our findings show that uterine health before conception is critical for successful pregnancy and identify a mechanism by which early maternal viral infections may lead to pregnancy complications. This provides exciting opportunities to screen and prevent complications much earlier on in pregnancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13452040/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148537993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}