Is there a role of the local tissue RAS in the regulation of physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions in the reproductive tract?

Abstract

The renin–angiotensin system is well known as a systemic endocrine pathway that regulates blood pressure and salt–water metabolism. In addition to the systemic renin–angiotensin system there is evidence in different species for the presence of a local tissue renin–angiotensin system, which allows local production of the bioactive peptides angiotensin II and angiotensin (1-7). The local renin–angiotensin system has been found in a variety of tissues including tissue of the human reproductive tract. Thus, it was suspected that it may have important functions in the local hormonal microenvironment. Here, a systematic literature search was undertaken to review whether there is evidence for regulatory functions of the local tissue renin–angiotensin system in the human reproductive tract under physiological and pathological conditions.