Molecular Basis of Gynecological Disorders and Associated Infertility

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cellular Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2026 | Viewed by 1366

Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
Interests: embryo implantation; endometrial receptivity; recurrent implantation failure; progesterone receptors

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Guest Editor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMKC School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
Interests: endometrial angiogenesis and bleeding; implantation; pregnancy; contraception; placental function; vascular complications during pregnancy; preeclampsia
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The molecular basis of gynecological disorders and associated infertility and subfertility has gained significant momentum in recent years, to comprehend the intricacies among the plausible cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these conditions. The current consensus amongst specialists in the field dictates that a wide array of female reproductive health issues can be referenced under the term “gynecological disorders”, included and not limited to, hormonal menstrual distrubances and disease entities such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and various types of uterine and vaginal pathologies. These conditions not only affect the female reproductive performance but also have broader implications for overall health and well-being.

The ripple effects and significant global impact of infertility and subfertility-associated female reproductive health disorders, which are often direct outcomes of such gynecological anomalies, represent a substantial public health concern worldwide. Notably, these gynecological disorders are reportedly being influenced by a multitude of interchangeable factors embodying an interplay amongst epigenetic, genetic, hormonal, immunological, and environmental elements. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these processes, which could prove vital for developing effective diagnostic tools and targeted therapeutic interventions for those in need thereof.

We encourage you to contribute to this Special Issue of Cells by submitting a research article or a review dedicated to gynecological disorders and associated infertility and subfertility. 

Dr. Ahmad Albaghdadi
Dr. Nihar R. Nayak
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • gynecological disorders
  • endometriosis
  • polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • cervical cancer
  • ovarian cancer
  • uterine and vaginal pathologies

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 4429 KB  
Article
Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil Suppresses Proliferation and Migration and Modulates Mesenchymal-Associated Cellular Functions in Human Endometriotic Cells
by Elif Karakoç, Sezai Berkand Koçak, Kevser Kişifli Köş, Hülya Kayhan, Eda Erdem Şahinkesen, Cemil Can Eylem, Ferda Topal Çelikkan, Emirhan Nemutlu and Pergin Atilla
Cells 2026, 15(8), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15080702 - 15 Apr 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 926
Abstract
Endometriosis is characterized by enhanced cellular proliferation, migration, and resistance to apoptosis, contributing to lesion persistence and progression. Targeting cellular plasticity and mesenchymal-associated functions may therefore represent a promising therapeutic strategy. Here, we investigated the effects of Pelargonium graveolens essential oil (PGEO) on [...] Read more.
Endometriosis is characterized by enhanced cellular proliferation, migration, and resistance to apoptosis, contributing to lesion persistence and progression. Targeting cellular plasticity and mesenchymal-associated functions may therefore represent a promising therapeutic strategy. Here, we investigated the effects of Pelargonium graveolens essential oil (PGEO) on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, cytoskeletal organization, transcriptional regulation, and metabolic alterations in human endometriotic 12Z cells. PGEO treatment suppressed proliferative capacity in a concentration-dependent manner and significantly impaired cell migration, accompanied by reduced β-tubulin expression and decreased levels of mesenchymal-associated markers CD73 and CD105. Increased GRP78 expression together with ultrastructural alterations, including cytoplasmic vacuolization and mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum changes, indicated activation of cellular stress responses. Although transcriptional analysis revealed increased CCND1 and PIK3CA mRNA levels, these changes did not parallel the observed suppression of proliferation, suggesting compensatory regulatory responses. Untargeted metabolomic profiling revealed alterations in energy metabolism characterized by increased levels of glycolysis-related metabolites, reduced levels of several amino acids including glutamine and histidine, and changes in lipid-associated metabolites. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that PGEO suppresses proliferative and migratory behavior in endometriotic cells while modulating cytoskeletal, transcriptional, and metabolic pathways, highlighting its potential as a candidate for further investigation in endometriosis-targeted therapeutic strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Basis of Gynecological Disorders and Associated Infertility)
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