Chronic poor healing wounds of post cesarean scar diverticulum: Altered angiogenesis and immunobiology

J Reprod Immunol. 2023 Jun:157:103929. doi: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103929. Epub 2023 Mar 7.

Abstract

Cesarean section (CS) scar diverticula (CSD) is an important cause impede further fecundity, with rather complicated pathophysiologic mechanisms and unclear etiopathogenesis. In this study, we detect the influences of CSD on the pregnancy outcomes in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) embryo transfer (ET) cycles, and further explore the mechanisms involved based on histopathology and immunology differences in endometrium between CSD and vaginal birth (VB) women. The CS group had significantly lower CLBR compared to NCS group. Histopathological analysis showed that the higher prevalent of CE is accompanied by excessive fibroblast proliferation at the lower segment of uterus and significantly exaggerated vascular proliferation in situ. Intrauterine inflammatory cytokines including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and SDF-1α were also increased in CSD group. The present data suggests impaired fecundity in CSD women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment. Although the causal relationship is ambiguous, the potential mechanisms may involve persistent inflammatory response in the uterine cavity, active vascular proliferation accompanied with increased fibrosis which are responsible for poor chronic wound healing of CSD.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Cesarean section scar diverticula; Cumulative live birth rates; Cytokines; Inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cesarean Section
  • Cicatrix*
  • Diverticulum*
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro
  • Humans
  • Live Birth
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Semen