Immune Cells Essential For Establishing Pregnancy

Researchers have shown that immune cells are critical for fertility because they create a healthy hormone environment in the uterus.

Asian Scientist (Jul. 17, 2013) – Australian researchers have shown that immune cells known as macrophages are critical for fertility because they create a healthy hormone environment in the uterus. The finding could lead better treatment of infertility in women.

In their study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the researchers showed that macrophages play an essential role in production of the hormone progesterone, which is crucial for embryo implantation and the initiation of pregnancy.

They found that insufficient numbers of macrophages lead to reduced production of progesterone, which results in embryos implanting poorly or not at all, and can manifest later as miscarriage.

“Environmental factors such as infection, obesity and stress all contribute to inflammatory responses and affect the generation and function of macrophages in women. This could therefore impact on the macrophages’ ability to support pregnancy,” said Professor Robertson, the leader of the research team.

Although laboratory studies showed that treatment with progesterone could reverse the effects caused by reduced levels of macrophages, the researchers hope that their findings will lead to the improvement of fertility by more natural means.

“Insufficient progesterone is one reason for infertility in some women,” said Professor Robertson.

“Infertile women are now routinely provided with progesterone supplements as part of their assisted reproductive treatments, and this is also a promising therapy for recurring miscarriage.”

“If macrophages are shown to play the same role in women as we’ve seen in our laboratory studies, this gives us potential new avenues for targeting them with lifestyle and nutritional intervention, improving fertility by advancing the quality of the conception environment.”

The article can be found at: Care et al. (2013) Macrophages Regulate Corpus Luteum Development During Embryo Implantation In Mice.

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Source: University of Adelaide; Photo: acme/Flickr.
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