A new molecule could be the key to solving the mysteries of female infertility. Australian researchers have taken a giant step towards more effective treatments.
A molecule in the lining of the uterus could be the cause of female infertility. Photo: The Truth Archive
An innovative study, carried out by specialists from the University of Melbourne and published in the prestigious journal PNAS, revealed a discovery that could revolutionize the treatment of female infertility, opening new perspectives for the development of personalized and effective therapies.
The researchers demonstrated that an increase in the level of the molecule miR-124-3p in the uterine lining is associated with infertility, suggesting that this molecule could be a promising therapeutic target.
Dr Eva Dimitriadis, a researcher at the University of Melbourne and a doctor at the Royal Women’s Hospital, pointed out that for an embryo to implant successfully, the endometrium must undergo specific changes within a very short period of time in the menstrual cycle.
His studies revealed that an abnormal increase in the miR-124-3p molecule in the endometrium can disrupt this complex physiological process, reducing the chances of pregnancy, especially in women undergoing IVF treatments. These findings open new perspectives for the development of targeted therapies that modulate the expression of this molecule and thus improve the results of fertility treatments.
Dr Dimitriadis said in a statement on Wednesday: “We found that some women with unexplained fertility have high levels of the miR-124-3p molecule in their uterine lining“.
The researchers write: “We believe that this molecule disrupts the normal function of the cells and prevents the attachment of the embryo. By identifying deregulated miR-124-3p levels as a potential cause of embryo implantation failure, we can develop specific interventions to improve the endometrial lining at the time of embryo implantation and increase the chances of pregnancy success for a significant number of women.”
By developing an animal model that allowed precise manipulation of miR-124-3p levels in the endometrium, the researchers demonstrated that an increase in this molecule negatively affects the embryo’s ability to implant, thus confirming its role in infertility. Moreover, studies in human cells indicated that lowering the level of this molecule could improve the chances of success of in vitro fertilization treatments, suggesting that miR-124-3p could become a valuable biomarker and therapeutic target in the management of uterine infertility.
Prof. Dr. Dimitriadis confesses: “We demonstrated that we can control this molecule in the uterine lining of mice during the most important moment for embryo attachment. This led to the failure of the embryos to implant”.
The results of this interdisciplinary study, to which researchers from prestigious institutions in Australia, the UK and Indonesia contributed, suggest that dysregulation of the expression of the miR-124-3p molecule in the endometrium could be a determining factor in the etiology of female infertility, thus providing a new target therapeutic. By developing therapeutic approaches that specifically target this molecule, the chances of success of IVF treatments and other therapeutic interventions in infertility could be significantly improved.
