Infertility Through the Lens of Psychoneuroimmunology: Revealing the Impact of Stress and Immune Disruption

The intricate association between psychological processes and immunity, particularly their combined impact on infertilityInfertility, is an emerging field of study in infertilityInfertility research. Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) involves the dynamic interactions between these factors, and it is imperative that these interlacing mechanisms be delineated for clearer comprehension. Central to this discussion is the elucidation of the manner in which stressStress, a significant psychological element, interacts with the immune system, thereby influencing fertility outcomes. It has been observed that stressStress potentially disrupts reproductive processes through the crosstalk between the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axesHypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, with cortisolCortisol, the primary stressStress hormoneHormone, being instrumental. Interestingly, stressStress demonstrates a dual-role, possessing the capability to both suppress and enhance immune responses. Any imbalance in immune responses, be it undue suppression or excessive activation, may adversely affect reproductive processes in both male and female. Consequently, the intricate interrelationship among stressStress, immunity, and reproductionReproduction forms a crucial triad in the context of fertility challenges. Thorough understanding and clarification of this triad are of utmost importance, shedding light on the underlying causes of infertilityInfertility. This chapter offers an encompassing narrative on the relevance of PNI in infertilityInfertility, highlighting its growing prominence in contemporary infertilityInfertility research.