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Reproductive tract function and dysfunction in women

Nature Reviews Endocrinology volume 7, pages 517–525 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

An appropriately developed and functional reproductive tract is essential for the natural production of offspring. However, abnormal development or disease, either within or external to the reproductive tract, can cause considerable morbidity and mortality. This Review describes the normal function of each section of the female reproductive tract. Some of the major conditions and diseases that cause reproductive tract dysfunction in women of reproductive age are reviewed, with a focus on endocrine-related dysfunction. As the female reproductive tract is vital for the continuation of the human species, it is crucial to have an improved understanding of how the cells and tissues of this system interact under normal conditions and to define how hormonal and genetic abnormalities cause pathophysiologic derangement of reproduction.

Key Points

  • The development and function of the female reproductive tract are regulated by endocrine, paracrine and autocrine signals

  • Dysfunction within the female reproductive tract might manifest clinically as pelvic pain and discomfort, abnormal menstrual bleeding or infertility

  • Genetic causes of reproductive dysfunction can be both single-gene Mendelian disorders and complex multifactorial conditions

  • Many single-gene defects that affect female reproduction have been identified because of their roles in regulating glycoprotein hormone synthesis or signaling

  • Gynecologic malignancies are major causes of increased morbidity and mortality in women

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Figure 1
Figure 2: Function of the fallopian tube.
Figure 3: Benign and malignant causes of reproductive dysfunction.

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Acknowledgements

Reproductive biology and cancer research in the Matzuk laboratory has been supported by NIH grants P01 HD36289, R01 CA60651, R01 HD32067, R01 HD57880, R37 HD33438, U01 HD60496 and U54 HD07495, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, the Young Texans against Cancer and the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation. We apologize to colleagues whose work is not referenced herein because of space limitations.

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  1. Departments of Pathology & Immunology, One Baylor Plaza, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, 77030, TX, USA

    Angshumoy Roy & Martin M. Matzuk

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Correspondence to Martin M. Matzuk.

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Roy, A., Matzuk, M. Reproductive tract function and dysfunction in women. Nat Rev Endocrinol 7, 517–525 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2011.79

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