Impact of hyperglycaemia on cellular microenvironment and function of endometrium and uterine tube: scoping review focused on infertility in diabetic women

IntroductionDiabetes mellitus (DM) and associated comorbidities correspond to female infertility by many interrelated mechanisms. Yet most prior research focuses only on ovary dysfunction. Our work evaluates literature mechanisms of DM-induced uterine tube and endometrial dysfunction, corresponding...

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Main Authors: Peter Jackuliak, Martin Jankovský, Magdaléna Kovářová, Jaroslav Voller, Claudia Feitscherová, Ivan Varga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1582039/full
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author Peter Jackuliak
Martin Jankovský
Magdaléna Kovářová
Jaroslav Voller
Claudia Feitscherová
Ivan Varga
author_facet Peter Jackuliak
Martin Jankovský
Magdaléna Kovářová
Jaroslav Voller
Claudia Feitscherová
Ivan Varga
author_sort Peter Jackuliak
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionDiabetes mellitus (DM) and associated comorbidities correspond to female infertility by many interrelated mechanisms. Yet most prior research focuses only on ovary dysfunction. Our work evaluates literature mechanisms of DM-induced uterine tube and endometrial dysfunction, corresponding impacts on female fertility, and potential evidence-based intervention targets.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review (mapping review) follows the Joanna Briggs Institute (Manual for Evidence Synthesis, 2020 version). After identifying the research questions, we conducted a comprehensive search across four electronic databases by entering the keyword “diabetes”, with a combination with other keywords as the uterus, endometrium, uterine/Fallopian tube, infertility and embryo implantation. We excluded manuscripts that address the issue of gestational diabetes. Most of these studies were in animals.ResultsThere is compelling evidence for connecting DM with uterine tube infertility via endometriosis, thyroid dysfunction, and susceptibility to infectious disease. DM damages the endometrium before pregnancy via glucose toxicity, lesions, excessive immune activity, and other mechanisms. DM also hinders endometrium receptivity and embryo–endometrium crosstalk, such as through disrupted endometrium glucose homeostasis. We also hypothesize how DM may affect the function of immune cells in uterine tube and uterus, including changes in the number and types of cells of innate and acquired immunity, disrupting immunological barrier in uterine tube, alterations in formation of neutrophil extracellular traps or polarization of macrophages.DiscussionWe discuss evidence for clinical practice in terms of glycaemic control, lifestyle modifications, and medical interventions. For example, there is currently substantial evidence from rodent models for using metformin for increase in endometrial thickness, number of stromal cells and blood vessels and restoration of normal endometrial architecture, and bariatric surgery for recruitment of protective immune cell types to the endometrium. We also briefly highlight the future prospects of stem cells, artificial intelligence, and other new approaches for managing DM-associated female infertility. Further studies are necessary for optimizing female reproductive outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-5c93bfa194614e65be601dfeb94c25992025-08-20T03:53:56ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology2296-634X2025-05-011310.3389/fcell.2025.15820391582039Impact of hyperglycaemia on cellular microenvironment and function of endometrium and uterine tube: scoping review focused on infertility in diabetic womenPeter Jackuliak0Martin Jankovský1Magdaléna Kovářová2Jaroslav Voller3Claudia Feitscherová4Ivan Varga5Fifth Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital Bratislava, Bratislava, SlovakiaFifth Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital Bratislava, Bratislava, SlovakiaFifth Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital Bratislava, Bratislava, SlovakiaFaculty of Healthcare Studies, University of Western Bohemia, Pilsen, CzechiaInstitute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, SlovakiaInstitute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, SlovakiaIntroductionDiabetes mellitus (DM) and associated comorbidities correspond to female infertility by many interrelated mechanisms. Yet most prior research focuses only on ovary dysfunction. Our work evaluates literature mechanisms of DM-induced uterine tube and endometrial dysfunction, corresponding impacts on female fertility, and potential evidence-based intervention targets.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review (mapping review) follows the Joanna Briggs Institute (Manual for Evidence Synthesis, 2020 version). After identifying the research questions, we conducted a comprehensive search across four electronic databases by entering the keyword “diabetes”, with a combination with other keywords as the uterus, endometrium, uterine/Fallopian tube, infertility and embryo implantation. We excluded manuscripts that address the issue of gestational diabetes. Most of these studies were in animals.ResultsThere is compelling evidence for connecting DM with uterine tube infertility via endometriosis, thyroid dysfunction, and susceptibility to infectious disease. DM damages the endometrium before pregnancy via glucose toxicity, lesions, excessive immune activity, and other mechanisms. DM also hinders endometrium receptivity and embryo–endometrium crosstalk, such as through disrupted endometrium glucose homeostasis. We also hypothesize how DM may affect the function of immune cells in uterine tube and uterus, including changes in the number and types of cells of innate and acquired immunity, disrupting immunological barrier in uterine tube, alterations in formation of neutrophil extracellular traps or polarization of macrophages.DiscussionWe discuss evidence for clinical practice in terms of glycaemic control, lifestyle modifications, and medical interventions. For example, there is currently substantial evidence from rodent models for using metformin for increase in endometrial thickness, number of stromal cells and blood vessels and restoration of normal endometrial architecture, and bariatric surgery for recruitment of protective immune cell types to the endometrium. We also briefly highlight the future prospects of stem cells, artificial intelligence, and other new approaches for managing DM-associated female infertility. Further studies are necessary for optimizing female reproductive outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1582039/fulldiabetes mellitushyperglycaemiainfertilityendometrial receptivityembryo-endometrium crosstalkendometrial immune cell
spellingShingle Peter Jackuliak
Martin Jankovský
Magdaléna Kovářová
Jaroslav Voller
Claudia Feitscherová
Ivan Varga
Impact of hyperglycaemia on cellular microenvironment and function of endometrium and uterine tube: scoping review focused on infertility in diabetic women
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
diabetes mellitus
hyperglycaemia
infertility
endometrial receptivity
embryo-endometrium crosstalk
endometrial immune cell
title Impact of hyperglycaemia on cellular microenvironment and function of endometrium and uterine tube: scoping review focused on infertility in diabetic women
title_full Impact of hyperglycaemia on cellular microenvironment and function of endometrium and uterine tube: scoping review focused on infertility in diabetic women
title_fullStr Impact of hyperglycaemia on cellular microenvironment and function of endometrium and uterine tube: scoping review focused on infertility in diabetic women
title_full_unstemmed Impact of hyperglycaemia on cellular microenvironment and function of endometrium and uterine tube: scoping review focused on infertility in diabetic women
title_short Impact of hyperglycaemia on cellular microenvironment and function of endometrium and uterine tube: scoping review focused on infertility in diabetic women
title_sort impact of hyperglycaemia on cellular microenvironment and function of endometrium and uterine tube scoping review focused on infertility in diabetic women
topic diabetes mellitus
hyperglycaemia
infertility
endometrial receptivity
embryo-endometrium crosstalk
endometrial immune cell
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1582039/full
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