Oxidative stress and oocyte quality: ethiopathogenic mechanisms of minimal/mild endometriosis-related infertility

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This review explores how oxidative stress in the peritoneal, serum, and follicular microenvironments may impair oocyte quality and compromise fertility in women with minimal/mild endometriosis.

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This paper reviews mechanisms by which oxidative stress in peritoneal, serum, and/or follicular microenvironments may impair oocyte quality and thereby contribute to infertility in women with minimal or mild endometriosis. It synthesizes evidence linking oxidative stress to defects in oocyte cytoskeletal/spindle organization, altered redox balance, and compromised reproductive potential, emphasizing the oocyte as a key player in endometriosis-associated infertility. The main caveat is that it is a narrative review aimed at proposed etiopathogenic pathways rather than presenting new original experimental results. Relevance to endometriosis: the entire review is about endometriosis-related infertility mechanisms, specifically focusing on minimal/mild endometriosis and oxidative-stress–mediated oocyte quality impairment.

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Abstract

Endometriosis, a highly prevalent gynecological disease, is often associated with infertility, even in its milder forms (minimal and mild endometriosis). However, no consensus has been established with regard to this relationship and the possible mechanisms involved have not been completely elucidated. The oocyte is believed to have an important role in the infertility presented by these patients. Hence, oxidative stress events associated with alterations in the peritoneal, serum and/or follicular microenvironments might result in poor oocyte quality and compromise the reproductive potential of these women. Here, we review possible mechanisms involved in oocyte quality impairment that might lead to infertility in patients with early endometriosis. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Fertil Steril 78:1077–1081 Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding author Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Da Broi, M.G., Navarro, P.A. Oxidative stress and oocyte quality: ethiopathogenic mechanisms of minimal/mild endometriosis-related infertility. Cell Tissue Res 364, 1–7 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-015-2339-9 Received: Accepted: Published: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-015-2339-9

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mesh:D004715endometriosisinfertility

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Endometriosis Infertility, Female Oocytes Oxidative Stress Animals Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Infertility, Female Infertility, Female Oocytes Oocytes

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