Endometrial macrophages, endometriosis, and microbiota: time to unravel the complexity of the relationship

Traditionally the endometrial cavity was considered sterile. However, this concept is fundamentally changing slowly but steadily. Maintaining an ideal uterine environment is vital for embryo implantation, placentation, pregnancy development, and healthy childbirth at term. This requires integrity of the anatomic and histologic structure, hormonal milieu, signaling pathways, endometrial immune niche, and may be hospitable genital tract...