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Female Infertility and Fertility
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Female Infertility and Fertility

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 2547

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Antonio Simone Laganà

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
2. Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Paolo Giaccone” Hospital, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Interests: endometriosis; infertility; minimally invasive surgery; assisted reproduction technology; gynecological endocrinology; reproductive immunology; laparoscopy; hysteroscopy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Simone Garzon

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Filippo Del Ponte" Hospital, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
Interests: infertility; fertility preservation; endometriosis; polycystic ovary syndrome; assisted reproduction technology; gynecologic surgical procedures; endometrial cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled "Female Infertility and Fertility", is dedicated to exploring the intricate biological, clinical, and environmental factors that shape female reproductive health. Female fertility, encompassing the ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term, is influenced by a multitude of physiological and molecular pathways. These include the development and maturation of oocytes, hormonal regulation, implantation processes, and the interplay between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Conversely, infertility arises when disruptions occur at any point along this delicate continuum.

This Special Issue aims to compile cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that deepen our understanding of female fertility and infertility. We welcome contributions spanning fundamental and translational science, including studies in endocrinology, molecular and cell biology, genetics, immunology, and reproductive technologies. By uncovering new insights and synthesizing existing evidence, we aspire to advance knowledge and provide novel perspectives for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of female infertility.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions and sharing this dynamic collection with the scientific community.

Dr. Antonio Simone Laganà
Dr. Simone Garzon
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • infertility
  • embryo
  • implantation
  • placenta
  • endometrium
  • gynecological endocrinology
  • assisted reproduction technology
  • ovaries
  • inflammation
  • endometriosis

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Review

12 pages, 998 KiB  
Review
Tamoxifen and Fertility in Women with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review on Reproductive Outcomes and Oncological Safety of Treatment Interruption
by Mauro Francesco Pio Maiorano, Gennaro Cormio, Vera Loizzi, Brigida Anna Maiorano, Stella D’Oronzo and Erica Silvestris
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(8), 3787; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26083787 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 284
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, with a rising incidence in young, premenopausal patients. For those diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) BC, tamoxifen is a cornerstone of adjuvant endocrine therapy, significantly reducing recurrence risk and improving long-term survival. [...] Read more.
Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, with a rising incidence in young, premenopausal patients. For those diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) BC, tamoxifen is a cornerstone of adjuvant endocrine therapy, significantly reducing recurrence risk and improving long-term survival. However, its prolonged use poses challenges for women desiring pregnancy, prompting interest in temporary treatment interruption as a strategy to achieve reproductive goals while maintaining oncological safety. This systematic review evaluates the impact of tamoxifen on fertility, the feasibility of treatment interruption, and associated reproductive and oncological outcomes. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search across major databases, identifying three relevant studies, including one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and two observational cohort studies. The findings suggest that temporary tamoxifen interruption allows for successful pregnancies without significantly increasing short-term recurrence rates. Notably, the POSITIVE trial demonstrated a pregnancy achievement rate of 74% and a live birth rate of 63.8%, with comparable three-year disease-free survival between patients who interrupted tamoxifen and those who continued therapy. However, concerns remain regarding tamoxifen’s teratogenic risks, emphasizing the need for strict contraceptive measures and preconception counseling. Despite emerging evidence supporting this approach, long-term safety data are limited. Further research is warranted to refine clinical recommendations and optimize reproductive counseling for young BC survivors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Female Infertility and Fertility)
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35 pages, 1130 KiB  
Review
Sex Steroids and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Interactions in the Nervous System: A Comprehensive Review of Scientific Data
by Gilmara Gomes de Assis, Maria Bernardete Cordeiro de Sousa and Eugenia Murawska-Ciałowicz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(6), 2532; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26062532 - 12 Mar 2025
Viewed by 589
Abstract
Sex steroids and the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) participate in neural tissue formation, phenotypic differentiation, and neuroplasticity. These processes are essential for the health and maintenance of the central nervous system. Aim: The aim of our review is to elucidate the interaction [...] Read more.
Sex steroids and the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) participate in neural tissue formation, phenotypic differentiation, and neuroplasticity. These processes are essential for the health and maintenance of the central nervous system. Aim: The aim of our review is to elucidate the interaction mechanisms between BDNF and sex steroids in neuronal function. Method: A series of searches were performed using Mesh terms for androgen/receptors, estrogen/receptors, and BDNF/receptors, and a collection of the scientific data available on PubMed up to February 2025 about mechanical interactions between BDNF and sex steroids was included in this literature review. Discussion: This review discussed the influence of sex steroids on the formation and/or maintenance of neural circuits via different mechanisms, including the regulation of BDNF expression and signaling. Estrogens exert a time- and region-specific effect on BDNF synthesis. The nuclear estrogen receptor can directly regulate BDNF expression, independently of the presence of estrogen, in neuronal cells, whereas progesterone and testosterone upregulate BDNF expression via their specific nuclear receptors. In addition, testosterone has a positive effect on BDNF release by glial cells, which lack androgen receptors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Female Infertility and Fertility)
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25 pages, 2456 KiB  
Review
The Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Endometriosis: From Basic Pathophysiology to Clinical Implications
by Heidi Mariadas, Jie-Hong Chen and Kuo-Hu Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(6), 2458; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26062458 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1365
Abstract
Endometriosis is a complex gynecological disorder characterized by endometrial-like tissue growing outside the uterus, leading to chronic pain, infertility, and reduced quality of life. Its pathophysiology involves genetic, epigenetic, immune, and molecular factors. Theories such as retrograde menstruation, coelomic metaplasia, and stem cell [...] Read more.
Endometriosis is a complex gynecological disorder characterized by endometrial-like tissue growing outside the uterus, leading to chronic pain, infertility, and reduced quality of life. Its pathophysiology involves genetic, epigenetic, immune, and molecular factors. Theories such as retrograde menstruation, coelomic metaplasia, and stem cell involvement explain lesion formation. Endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs) and epithelial progenitors (eEPs) contribute to lesion establishment by adhering to peritoneal surfaces, proliferating, and differentiating into ectopic tissue. Aberrant adhesion molecules, inflammatory cytokines, and molecular pathways like PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin drive proliferation, angiogenesis, and resistance to apoptosis. Elevated estrogen levels and progesterone resistance further promote lesion growth and immune evasion. Immune dysfunction, including altered macrophage activity and reduced natural killer (NK) cell function, contributes to inflammation and lesion persistence. Pain is linked to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nerve infiltration, emphasizing the need for targeted pain management. Current therapies, such as GnRH agonists, suppress ovarian hormone production but face limitations in long-term efficacy and side effects. Integrating molecular insights into clinical practice may advance diagnostics and treatment, with emerging approaches focusing on molecular pathways, immune modulation, and hormonal regulation for more effective, personalized therapies. Future research should unravel the complex mechanisms driving endometriosis to improve patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Female Infertility and Fertility)
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