Understanding the molecular basis of female poor reproductive outcome (LOTUS: femaLe reprOducTive sUcceSs)

Motherhood holds a profound significance for many women, yet one in six couples encounters infertility. In vitro fertilization (IVF), the most common treatment, yields a modest pregnancy rate. Moreover, 15% of all pregnancies are spontaneously miscarried. Embryo implantation and pregnancy progression rely on communication between genetically normal embryo and uterus. Even if a genetically normal embryo is transferred, a maximum implantation rate of 50% is achieved, causing the need for multiple transfers. The fact that failed implantation of genetically normal embryo and pregnancy loss are common, underscores the importance of maternal uterine environment, embryo-maternal molecular communication, and uterine microbiota. LOTUS project adopts a holistic approach to unravel the relationship between uterine, embryonic, and microbiota factors in implantation failure and pregnancy loss, aiming to improve diagnostics and personalized treatments for women's reproductive health.