Inflammatory Factors in Reproductive Medicine

Daniel Dumesic, MD

As Guest Editor for this edition of Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, I welcome you to this exciting selection of papers regarding inflammatory factors in reproductive medicine. As a biological process governing complex immunological actions, inflammation is a crucial element of reproduction, being tightly regulated by the body to ensure our survival. On one hand, inflammation is part of the normal processes of reproduction, including ovulation and embryo implantation. On the other, too little inflammation increases tissue susceptibility to damage by harmful infectious and noninfectious agents, while severe inflammatory processes underlie several diseases. The selected papers in this issue cover a wide spectrum of topics regarding the complex interrelationships between inflammation and human female reproduction under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. They address the roles of inflammatory pathways in ovarian, uterine, fallopian tube and vulvar functions, which when perturbed contribute to clinical expressions of several female reproductive diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome, endometritis, salpingitis, subfertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, endometriosis and vulvodynia. These papers represent an important source of information for health care providers treating women with reproductive conditions and also for scientists investigating the origins of relevant reproductive dysfunction. I thank the authors who have contributed their knowledge to this special issue of Seminars in Reproductive Medicine and hope that you enjoy their contributions to this important field of reproductive medicine and women's healthcare.