Infertility remains a significant global public health problem, affecting the reproductive potential of couples and requiring interdisciplinary approaches to its study and treatment, and in this context a key factor of progress becomes not only the identification of local pathogenetic mechanisms but also the understanding of their systemic consequences for the reproductive system; the key challenge is that a substantial proportion of cases remains unexplained, which testifies to a profound transformation of notions about risk factors, and a new study carried out with the participation of Jerusalem University and Hadassah Medical Center represents an attempt to identify a biological link between chronic oral inflammation and deterioration of female fertility, while this publication is presented as an analytical retelling and interpretation of scientific results.
An experiment in a mouse model indicates that chronic oral inflammation gives systemic effects caused by activation of proinflammatory cascades and alteration of the immune response, which are capable of disrupting reproductive function at the level of the ovary, folliculogenesis and oocyte quality. As a clinical takeaway this emphasizes the need for dentists and reproductive specialists to consider oral inflammation as a potential factor affecting reproductive outcomes in patients.
In a mouse model simulating chronic oral inflammation, systemic changes were noted, including increased levels of circulating proinflammatory cytokines, induction of oxidative stress in the ovaries and disturbances in follicle morphogenesis; these effects were accompanied by a decrease in the morphological and functional quality of oocytes, increased markers of DNA damage and the presence of epigenetic rearrangements similar to signs of reproductive aging.
The authors describe a chain of events beginning with local chronic oral inflammation — activation of macrophages and neutrophils, increased IL‑1β, TNF‑α, IL‑6 and other proinflammatory mediators — and continuing with systemic transfer of the signal to the reproductive system; in the ovaries this manifests as a change in the population composition of immune cells, enhanced production of reactive oxygen species, activation of apoptosis pathways and disruption of DNA repair processes in oocytes, which has direct relevance for the genetic and epigenetic stability of gametes.
From the standpoint of clinical implication, this model explains how a chronic peripheral inflammatory process can reduce fertility — not only through systemic inflammation, but also via a direct effect on oocyte quality and embryogenesis potential.
The study carried out with the participation of laboratories of Jerusalem University and the clinical base of Hadassah demonstrates a practical example of integration of translational approaches: synchronization of experimental models with clinical hypotheses, exchange of biological materials and standardization of procedures allow increasing data reproducibility and developing protocols for subsequent clinical validation.
Previously accumulated data on the association of periodontitis with male reproductive function include associations with impaired semen parameters, increased sperm DNA fragmentation, as well as with systemic vascular consequences that may mediate erectile dysfunction; these observations point to the need to expand epidemiological and mechanistic research for both sexes and to integrate dental screening into the comprehensive assessment of reproductive risk.
The authors emphasize that the next steps should include clinical validation of animal data in humans, conducting randomized clinical trials to assess the effect of periodontal treatment on reproductive outcomes, development of standardized diagnostic and therapeutic protocols; for practicing dentists this means strengthening prevention and control of chronic oral inflammation in patients of reproductive age, coordination with reproductive specialists and exchange of clinical care pathways.
Epidemiological estimates indicate that infertility affects approximately 15% of couples in the population, with about 15% of cases remaining unexplained; experimental data from 2 April 2026 propose to supplement existing biological concepts by adding the role of chronic oral inflammation as a possible modifiable risk factor, which substantiates the need for further standardization of assessment methods and inclusion of dental status in reproductive investigation protocols.
For clinical practice of dentists and reproductive specialists it is advisable to consider chronic oral inflammation as a potentially significant modifiable factor of reproductive risk; practical actions should include strengthening the diagnostic search for periodontitis and other foci of chronic infection in those planning pregnancy, coordination of treatment between specialists, prioritization of randomized studies to establish causal‑related links and development of uniform standards for documentation and monitoring of inflammatory markers.
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