Sarah Qutayba Badraldin, Karar H Alfarttoosi, Hayder Naji Sameer, Ashok Kumar Bishoyi, Subbulakshmi Ganesan, Aman Shankhyan, Subhashree Ray, Ahmed Yaseen, Zainab H Athab, Mohaned Adil
{"title":"Correction: The Clinical Significance of KIFs in Cervical and Endometrial Cancer: From Mechanisms to Biomarker and Therapeutic Potential.","authors":"Sarah Qutayba Badraldin, Karar H Alfarttoosi, Hayder Naji Sameer, Ashok Kumar Bishoyi, Subbulakshmi Ganesan, Aman Shankhyan, Subhashree Ray, Ahmed Yaseen, Zainab H Athab, Mohaned Adil","doi":"10.1007/s43032-026-02117-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-026-02117-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20920,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147842140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emmeli Mikkelsen, Emmanuel Amabebe, Andrea Olmos-Ortiz, Emily Hamburg-Shields, Egle Bytautiene Prewit, Oksana Shynlova, Deena L Gibbons, Sam Mesiano, Michael J Taggart
{"title":"The Pathophysiology of Spontaneous Preterm Birth: Emerging Mechanisms Reviewed by the Preterm Birth International Collaborative.","authors":"Emmeli Mikkelsen, Emmanuel Amabebe, Andrea Olmos-Ortiz, Emily Hamburg-Shields, Egle Bytautiene Prewit, Oksana Shynlova, Deena L Gibbons, Sam Mesiano, Michael J Taggart","doi":"10.1007/s43032-026-02108-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-026-02108-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Around 10% of global births are preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation), posing a significant challenge to maternal and neonatal health. Preterm infants face an increased risk of mortality and long-term health complications, impacting their survival and development across all life stages. Despite decades (~ 80 years) of research, effective methods to predict and prevent idiopathic or spontaneous preterm birth remain limited. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of spontaneous preterm birth is warranted. This review explores some aspects of recent progress in unravelling the complex pathophysiology of both normal and preterm human birth. We present parturition as an inflammatory event, triggered by stressors affecting the uterine reproductive tissues (myometrium, decidua, and cervix), and involving multiple endocrine and paracrine pathways. These pathways, along with signals from fetal membrane senescence and the vaginal microbiome, contribute to labor induction. Proposed perspectives in parturition research include using mathematical modeling and machine learning (artificial intelligence) to map pregnancy trajectories and identify patient phenotypes associated with preterm birth risk. Additionally, incorporating preterm birth history into routine life course medical surveillance for affected individuals and their offspring is recommended. Finally, increased investment and prioritization from national funding bodies, along with greater support for international collaborations, are essential to identify the causes of preterm birth across multiple populations and develop new, effective treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":20920,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147842202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shelby Howard, Akanksha Suresh, Morgan Bou Zerdan, Md Soriful Islam, Samya El Sayed, Rachel Michel, Mostafa Borahay, Sushma Nagaraj, Jennifer Elisseeff, Jude Phillips, Emily Joseph, Bhuchitra Singh, James H Segars
{"title":"A Systematic Review of the Role of Senescent Cells in Uterine Leiomyomas: Deciphering Molecular Pathways and Exploring Therapeutic Prospects.","authors":"Shelby Howard, Akanksha Suresh, Morgan Bou Zerdan, Md Soriful Islam, Samya El Sayed, Rachel Michel, Mostafa Borahay, Sushma Nagaraj, Jennifer Elisseeff, Jude Phillips, Emily Joseph, Bhuchitra Singh, James H Segars","doi":"10.1007/s43032-026-02075-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-026-02075-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Uterine leiomyomas (ULs) are prevalent benign tumors in women of reproductive age characterized by cellular senescence. Cellular senescence is a state of stable, irreversible cell cycle arrest characterized by discrete changes in cellular morphology and gene expression. This systematic review, following PRIMSA guidelines, evaluated the molecular pathways contributing to senescence in ULs and the use of novel therapeutic agents to target senescence. Two investigators independently screened and identified relevant articles written in English involving human subjects. Sixty-nine articles were identified; 11 studies met criteria. Multiple studies recognized a range of biomarkers of senescence in ULs including senescence associated beta galactosidase (SA-β-gal), senescent associated proteins (p16, p21, p14ARF), and telomere shortening. Key pathways such as AKT and p14ARF-TP53-p21, and genes such as HMGA2 and MED12 have been implicated in regulating the balance between tumor proliferation and growth arrest and senescence. However, the specific genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that induce and maintain senescence in ULs are not fully understood. There is growing interest in investigating whether senescent cells can be therapeutically targeted in ULs by senolytic agents that induce apoptosis, and senomorphic agents that modulate the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) to reduce its pro-tumorigenic effects. While limited, non-clinical data suggests this approach may be promising, further investigation is needed to establish their clinical efficacy in patients with ULs.</p>","PeriodicalId":20920,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147842115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiaoxuan Sun, Qingshen Wu, Mingran Zou, Xiaoqing Zhang, Lu Gao
{"title":"The Emerging Role of Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15 (ISG15) in Pregnancy-Related Disorders.","authors":"Xiaoxuan Sun, Qingshen Wu, Mingran Zou, Xiaoqing Zhang, Lu Gao","doi":"10.1007/s43032-026-02111-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-026-02111-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pregnancy-related disorders, including preterm birth, preeclampsia, recurrent spontaneous abortion, and fetal growth restriction, represent major contributors to global maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Their pathophysiology involves complex mechanisms such as immune dysregulation, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and metabolic disturbances. Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), a ubiquitin-like protein, regulates diverse biological processes-including antiviral immunity, cellular metabolism, oxidative stress, and DNA damage response-through ISGylation, which covalently conjugates ISG15 to target proteins. In recent years, the potential role of ISG15 in pregnancy-related diseases has attracted growing interest. This review systematically outlines the molecular characteristics and functions of ISG15, with a focus on its research advances in preeclampsia, recurrent spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, and fetal growth restriction. Furthermore, it discusses the potential of ISG15 as a novel biomarker or therapeutic target for pregnancy-related disorders, providing new insights for early prevention and clinical management. Collectively, this review positions ISG15 as a critical regulator in pregnancy-related pathologies and underscores its translational potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":20920,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147842150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fatma Seher Pektopal, Selen Kum Özşengezer, Zekiye Sultan Altun
{"title":"Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer and Association with Circadian Rhythm.","authors":"Fatma Seher Pektopal, Selen Kum Özşengezer, Zekiye Sultan Altun","doi":"10.1007/s43032-026-02093-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-026-02093-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ovarian cancer (OC) accounts for a significant percentage of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. A small proportion of ovarian cancers, usually in women under 40, originate from germ cells and stromal cells within the ovary, but the vast majority are epithelial malignancies. The preferred treatment for ovarian malignancies consists of platinum-based chemotherapy and surgical intervention.Chemoresistance in ovarian cancer is a complex problem that significantly impedes tratment efficacy. Many pathways contribute to this resistance, including genetic factors, tumor microenvironment interactions, and lifestyle variables such as obesity. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatment solutions. The circadian rhythm, or circadian clock, regulates the sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, hormone secretion, metabolism, and many physiological processes. Circadian genes are highly expressed in the ovaries, which regulate ovulation. Disruption of circadian rhythm asociated with many risk factors for ovarian cancer. This article examines the relationship between circadian rhythm and chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer, and reviews circadian rhythm to reduce chemotherapy resistance in this context.</p>","PeriodicalId":20920,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147842124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mahsa Kazerani, Umut Cagiral, Seyedeh Zoha Tabatabaei, Remziye Nur Akalper, Ugur Bora, Sadegh Babashah, Gunes Ozhan, Mehdi Totonchi
{"title":"A Novel BIRC6 Variant Impairs Apoptotic Regulation in Familial Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Functional Validation in a CRISPR/Cas9 Zebrafish Model.","authors":"Mahsa Kazerani, Umut Cagiral, Seyedeh Zoha Tabatabaei, Remziye Nur Akalper, Ugur Bora, Sadegh Babashah, Gunes Ozhan, Mehdi Totonchi","doi":"10.1007/s43032-026-02088-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-026-02088-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), characterized by ovarian dysfunction before age 40, remains idiopathic in over 50% of cases, underscoring the urgent need to elucidate its genetic underpinnings. Here, we report a consanguineous Iranian family with five females diagnosed with POI, exhibiting elevated gonadotropins, undetectable anti-Müllerian hormone, and bilateral ovarian atrophy. Whole Exome Sequencing identified a novel homozygous missense variant in BIRC6 (NM_016252.4: c.11266C > T; p.Arg3756Cys), a gene encoding an apoptosis regulator. Segregation analysis confirmed an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, with homozygosity exclusively in affected individuals. Functional studies in a CRISPR/Cas9-generated birc6<sup>del12</sup> zebrafish model recapitulated POI phenotypes: homozygous females exhibited reduced fecundity, aberrant oocyte morphology, and elevated embryonic death. Transcriptional analysis revealed dysregulation of apoptotic (badb, sortilin, apc) and fertility-related (nanos1, vtg1) genes, alongside unaltered estradiol levels, implicating apoptosis-driven follicular atresia rather than endocrine dysfunction. Compensatory increase in egg production in mutants mirrored human POI progression, where initial irregular cycles culminate in follicular depletion. This study establishes BIRC6 as a novel POI candidate, links its anti-apoptotic function to ovarian homeostasis, and highlights zebrafish as a tractable model for dissecting POI mechanisms. Our findings expand the genetic landscape of infertility and suggest therapeutic potential for apoptosis modulation in fertility preservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":20920,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147842131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Role of WWOX Gene Variant in Hypospadias and 46,XY Disorders of Sexual Development.","authors":"Yasemin Denkboy Ongen, Havva Tezcan-Unlu, Ufuk Unal, Ecem Efendi-Erdem, Gulsah Cecener, Erdal Eren","doi":"10.1007/s43032-026-02112-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-026-02112-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>46,XY disorders of sexual development (46,XY DSD) are conditions characterized by deviations from typical male sex development, which encompasses a broad spectrum of clinical features such as hypospadias, decreased sperm production, dysgenetic testes, bifid scrotum, and the presence of a mature uterus and fallopian tubes. The WWOX gene, which has been implicated in various cancers, is also thought to play a role in sex development, although its involvement in 46,XY DSD remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the WWOX gene in a patient presenting with hypospadias. A 7-month-old male with a history of in-vitro fertilization pregnancy due to male factor and premature birth was referred to our clinic for hypospadias and undescended testicles. The physical examination showed scrotal hypospadias and significant chordee. Chromosome analysis was 46,XY, and the sex-determining region Y protein was positive. Using DNA sequence analysis and protein expression studies, the p.Ala141Thr variant in the WWOX gene was identified. DNA sequencing analysis revealed that the patient is homozygous for this variant, with the father being homozygous (having an infertility history but no physical examination) and the mother heterozygous for the same mutation. Western blot analysis revealed significantly reduced WWOX protein levels in both the proband and father compared to the healthy controls, indicating that the variant impaired protein expression. These findings were consistent with the results from in-silico analyses, which predicted that the p.Ala141Thr substitution disrupts the secondary structure of the WWOX protein, suggesting a functional impact on its activity.</p>","PeriodicalId":20920,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147842217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juan Hu, Anquan Shang, Hui Wang, Lei Han, Lei Geng, Yongchang Miao, Chao Lu
{"title":"Investigating the Role of ALPK2 in Endometrial Cancer Progression: From Biological Function to Clinical Translation.","authors":"Juan Hu, Anquan Shang, Hui Wang, Lei Han, Lei Geng, Yongchang Miao, Chao Lu","doi":"10.1007/s43032-026-02109-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-026-02109-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Given the limitations of traditional indicators in evaluating the prognosis of endometrial cancer, this study identified the core genes related to prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment within the alpha-protein kinase (ALPK) family to address the lack of research on ALPK family genes in endometrial cancer. Using data from the TCGA database, we combined bioinformatics analyses (Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis, GSVA enrichment, KEGG pathway analysis) and cell experiments (constructing ALPK2 knockdown/overexpression models; conducting clone formation assays; CCK-8 and other experiments), analysis of the associations among gene expression, prognosis, clinicopathological characteristics, and drug sensitivity was conducted. Only ALPK2 was identified as an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of endometrial cancer (HR > 1, P < 0.05). It was highly expressed in tumor tissues (P < 0.01) and associated with high-risk characteristics such as serous subtype and stage III/IV (P < 0.001). ALPK2 promoted tumor progression by regulating core processes such as proliferation and invasion, and pathways including ECM-receptor interaction and PI3K-Akt signaling. Its high expression was associated with resistance to cisplatin and paclitaxel, as well as sensitivity to olaparib (P < 0.01). Moreover, it demonstrated good diagnostic efficacy for stage III with an AUC of 0.872 and showed broad applicability. ALPK2 is a potential key molecule for prognostic assessment, diagnostic accuracy, and targeted therapy of endometrial cancer, providing a new basis for optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":20920,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147842053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sahana Nagaraju, Syed Sagheer Ahmed, Bharathi Doddlu Raghunathnaidu, Mohammad Ali
{"title":"Mitochondrial Function and Dysfunction in Female Fertility: Biological Mechanisms, Genetic Determinants, and Therapeutic Opportunities - A Review.","authors":"Sahana Nagaraju, Syed Sagheer Ahmed, Bharathi Doddlu Raghunathnaidu, Mohammad Ali","doi":"10.1007/s43032-026-02113-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-026-02113-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Female fertility relies on tightly regulated mitochondrial bioenergetics to support oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development. Beyond ATP generation, mitochondria orchestrate redox signaling, calcium homeostasis, metabolic-epigenetic coupling, and nuclear-mitochondrial communication, thereby shaping oocyte competence and ovarian longevity. Aging, obesity, metabolic stress, and genetic perturbations disrupt these regulatory networks, leading to redox imbalance, impaired oxidative phosphorylation, altered mitochondrial dynamics, and mitochondrial DNA instability. These changes compromise granulosa cell support, impair meiotic progression, and accelerate ovarian aging, contributing to female infertility disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome. This review integrates therapeutic strategies that actively reprogram ovarian mitochondrial function rather than merely counteracting damage. Mitochondria-targeted antioxidants-including melatonin, resveratrol, N-acetylcysteine, mitochondria-directed scavengers, and coenzyme Q10 restore redox balance, stabilize mitochondrial dynamics, and enhance oocyte bioenergetics. In parallel, metabolic modulators such as metformin, dapagliflozin, and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists reprogram ovarian bioenergetics by reshaping substrate utilization, suppressing inflammatory and oxidative signaling, and improving mitochondrial efficiency within the ovary. Collectively, these interventions demonstrate that, positioning mitochondria-centered therapies as promising strategies to preserve fertility and extend the female reproductive health span.</p>","PeriodicalId":20920,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147842205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}