The results of this study, led by Professor Eva Dimitriadis from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatal Health at the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women’s Hospital, could open new horizons for targeted treatment and future research into unexplained infertility.
The research team determined that the molecule miR-124-3p was elevated in the endometrium of women with unexplained infertility, which may contribute to making the endometrium inhospitable for embryo attachment.
Before the embryo can implant, the lining of the uterus undergoes changes to become receptive to the embryo in a short period of time in the menstrual cycle.
Professor Dimitriadis explained that targeted treatments to reduce this molecule could help patients undergoing IVF achieve higher success rates.
According to Demetriadis: “We found that some women suffering from unexplained infertility have high levels of a molecule called miR-124-3p in the uterine lining. We believe that this molecule disrupts the normal function of the cells and prevents the embryo from attaching. “By identifying dysregulated miR-124-3p levels as a potential cause of embryo implantation failure, we can develop targeted interventions to improve the endometrium at the time of embryo implantation and enhance the chances of successful pregnancy for a large number of people.”
To validate their hypothesis, the team developed a new way to control the molecule in the uterine lining of mice. When it was raised artificially just at the time of embryo implantation, the embryos failed to attach and implant.
The study was also conducted on human cells, where lowering the level of the molecule in endometrial cells in women who had problems conceiving made it easier for the embryos to attach. This means that targeting miR-124-3p could become a new way to diagnose and treat uterine-related infertility.
Professor Dimitriadis said: “We have shown that we can control this molecule only in the uterine lining of mice during the most important time for embryo attachment. This led to failure of embryo implantation.”
She continued: “The study highlights the potential of targeting miR-124-3p as a new way to diagnose and treat infertility associated with uterine problems, providing a new direction in this field of research.” “It could serve as a biomarker to identify women with infertility caused by endometriosis.”
Source: Medical Express
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