title: Review: MicroRNAs in assisted reproduction and their potential role in IVF failure.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as important regulators of gene expression stability. In the endometrium, miRNAs are involved in the dynamic changes associated with the menstrual cycle, implicated in implantation and in reproductive disorders. We performed a review in an attempt to assess the potential biological pathways linking altered miRNAs profiles with in vitro fertilisation (IVF) failure. Crucially, as miRNAs appear to have a significant role in the course of reproduction, they are excellent research candidates with the potential to enable a better understanding over the underlying molecular activities that prevent implantation and further progression of the embryo. Further steps include in-depth pathway mapping of the implantation process and the characterization of the respective miRNAs and associated links. The efficiency of any intervention should determine whether miRNA profiling could possibly be adopted in routine practice to substantially improve the diagnostic accuracy and, in parallel, the directed treatment of the next-generation IVF.
authors: Assisted Reproduction Unit, 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece harrysiri@yahoo.gr.
authors: Charalampos
authors: C
authors: Siristatidis
authors: Assisted Reproduction Unit, 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Paraskevi
authors: P
authors: Vogiatzi
authors: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Nikos
authors: N
authors: Brachnis
authors: 4th Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Aspasia
authors: A
authors: Liassidou
authors: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Zoe
authors: Z
authors: Iliodromiti
authors: 1st Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Bettocchi
authors: 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Charalampos
authors: C
authors: Chrelias
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics*; D059467:Transcriptome
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: IVF; assisted reproduction; endometrium; fertility; gene expression; implantation; miRNA; review