Healthcare (Commonwealth Union) – Infertility, the inability to conceive a child despite trying for a year or more, affects millions of couples worldwide. While there are numerous known causes for infertility, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and low sperm count, a significant portion of cases remain unexplained. Unexplained infertility can be a source of immense frustration, anxiety, and emotional turmoil for couples who long for a child.
The term “unexplained infertility” encompasses cases where medical tests and examinations fail to identify a specific cause for the couple’s inability to conceive. This can lead to a sense of helplessness and confusion, as couples may feel that their struggle is not taken seriously or that there is nothing, they can do to overcome their infertility.
Despite many advancements, unexplained infertility remains a significant challenge for many couples. It is essential for those affected to seek support and understanding from friends, family, and mental health professionals. Additionally, couples generally work closely with their healthcare providers to explore all available treatment options and develop a personalized plan to address their unique situation.
A new study has revealed that a molecule found in elevated amounts in the uterine lining may be crucial to a person’s ability to conceive.
The research which was led by Professor Eva Dimitriadis from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Newborn Health at the University of Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital, could open the door to new targeted treatments and further investigations into unexplained infertility.
The findings that appeared in PNAS, saw the research reveal that the molecule miR-124-3p is present at higher levels in the uterine lining, or endometrium, of women experiencing unexplained infertility, which may make it less conducive to embryo implantation. Researchers of the study highlighted that that for an embryo to be able to implant, the endometrium undergoes changes to become receptive within a brief window during the menstrual cycle.
Professor Dimitriadis noted that treatments aimed at lowering this molecule might increase success rates for IVF patients.
Professor Dimitriadis indicated that they discovered that certain women with unexplained infertility have elevated levels of the molecule miR-124-3p in their uterine lining.
“We believe this molecule disrupts the normal function of 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 endometrial lining at the time embryos implant and enhance the chances of successful pregnancy for a significant number of people.”
To test their hypothesis, the research team devised a novel method to manipulate a specific molecule in the uterine lining of mice. By artificially increasing the molecule’s concentration precisely during the period when embryos are supposed to implant, they observed that the embryos were unable to successfully adhere and establish implantation.
The study extended to human cells as well, where bringing down the levels of this molecule in endometrial cells from individuals struggling with infertility improved the embryos’ ability to attach. These findings suggest that miR-124-3p could serve as a potential target for both diagnosing and treating infertility related to uterine issues.
“We demonstrated that we can control this molecule only in the uterine lining of mice during the most important time for embryos to attach. This led to failure of embryo implantation,” explained Professor Dimitriadis.
“The study highlights the potential of targeting miR-124-3p as a new way to diagnose and treat infertility related to uterine issues, offering a new direction in this area of research. “It could serve as a biomarker to identify women with endometrial-driven infertility.”
Researchers from various esteemed institutions, including Monash IVF, the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, the University of Cambridge, and Jenderal Soedirman University, collaborated on this groundbreaking study.
