Seminal Fluid-Mediated Inflammation in Physiology and Pathology of the Female Reproductive Tract

Figure 1

Schematic diagram showing the role of seminal fluid-mediated inflammation in the regulation of physiology and pathology of the female reproductive tract. SF has been shown to contain a wide variety of signaling molecules including cytokines, TGFβ, and PGE₂. Exposures of the female reproductive tract (FMRT) to these molecules can impact on the physiology and pathology of the FMRT. SF regulation of TNF-α and GM-CSF enhances ovulation process by increasing ovulation time. Regulation of Tregs population promotes maternal tolerance and foetal implantation while SF-mediated regulation of PGs enhances cervical dilation during parturition. It has been established that SF can mediate pathologic conditions within the FMRT. In endometrial tumorigenesis, SF-mediated regulation of FGF-2 via the activation of EP2-EGFR-ERK signaling enhances tumor progression. Similarly, by regulating COX-PGE₂, LOX-LTs, kallikrein-kinin, cytokines, and chemokine signaling SF promotes cervical tumorigenesis in sexually active women. In addition, SF-mediated regulation of CCR5 (HIV chemokine coreceptor) further allude to its role in HIV infection and cervical tumorigenesis.