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Frontiers in Cell and Developmental... 2021Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is the loss of normal ovarian function before the age of 40 years, a condition that affects approximately 1% of women under 40... (Review)
Review
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is the loss of normal ovarian function before the age of 40 years, a condition that affects approximately 1% of women under 40 years old and 0.1% of women under 30 years old. It is biochemically characterized by amenorrhea with hypoestrogenic and hypergonadotropic conditions, in some cases, causing loss of fertility. Heterogeneity of POI is registered by genetic and non-genetic causes, such as autoimmunity, environmental toxins, and chemicals. The identification of possible causative genes and selection of candidate genes for POI confirmation remain to be elucidated in cases of idiopathic POI. This review discusses the current understanding and future prospects of heterogeneous POI. We focus on the genetic basis of POI and the recent studies on non-coding RNA in POI pathogenesis as well as on animal models of POI pathogenesis, which help unravel POI mechanisms and potential targets. Despite the latest discoveries, the crosstalk among gene regulatory networks and the possible therapies targeting the same needs to explore in near future.
PubMed: 34041247
DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.672890 -
Pathobiology : Journal of... 2018Ovarian cancer encompasses a collection of neoplasms with distinct clinicopathological and molecular features and prognosis. Despite there being a variety of ovarian...
Ovarian cancer encompasses a collection of neoplasms with distinct clinicopathological and molecular features and prognosis. Despite there being a variety of ovarian cancer subtypes, these are treated as a single disease. Tremendous efforts have been made to characterize these subtypes and identify tumoral pathways and potential biomarkers for therapeutic strategies. As in other cancer types, tumor heterogeneity appears to be very high across subtypes and within a single tumor, representing a major cause of treatment failure. We describe the morphological and molecular heterogeneity among ovarian cancers and discuss recent advances in our understanding of intratumor heterogeneity.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma; Female; Genetic Heterogeneity; Humans; Immunophenotyping; Neoplasm Grading; Ovarian Neoplasms; Prognosis
PubMed: 29020678
DOI: 10.1159/000479006 -
Przeglad Menopauzalny = Menopause Review Jun 2017Premature ovarian failure (POF) is the term usually used to describe women aged younger than 40 years, who present with amenorrhoea, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, and... (Review)
Review
Premature ovarian failure (POF) is the term usually used to describe women aged younger than 40 years, who present with amenorrhoea, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, and infertility. POF is a devastating diagnosis for reproductive-aged women. The clinical presentation is diverse, and several different disorders can lead to premature ovarian failure. POF has serious health consequences, including psychological distress, infertility, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, ischaemic heart disease, and increased risk of mortality. Hashimoto's disease is the most frequent autoimmune disorder associated with premature ovarian failure. Management should be initiated immediately to prevent long-term consequences. Oestrogen therapy is the mainstay of management. Hormone therapy should be provided to eliminate symptoms of oestrogen deficiency.
PubMed: 28721130
DOI: 10.5114/pm.2017.68592 -
Biology of Reproduction Sep 2019About 10% of women of reproductive age are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. Female factors alone account for at least 35% of all infertility cases and... (Review)
Review
About 10% of women of reproductive age are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. Female factors alone account for at least 35% of all infertility cases and comprise a wide range of causes affecting ovarian development, maturation of oocytes, and fertilization competence, as well as the potential of a fertilized egg for preimplantation development, implantation, and fetal growth. Genetic abnormalities leading to infertility in females comprise large chromosome abnormalities, submicroscopic chromosome deletion and duplications, and DNA sequence variations in the genes that control numerous biological processes implicated in oogenesis, maintenance of ovarian reserve, hormonal signaling, and anatomical and functional development of female reproductive organs. Despite the great number of genes implicated in reproductive physiology by the study of animal models, only a subset of these genes is associated with human infertility. In this review, we mainly focus on genetic alterations identified in humans and summarize recent knowledge on the molecular pathways of oocyte development and maturation, the crucial role of maternal-effect factors during embryogenesis, and genetic conditions associated with ovarian dysgenesis, primary ovarian insufficiency, early embryonic lethality, and infertility.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Embryonic Development; Female; Humans; Infertility, Female; Maternal-Fetal Relations; Oogenesis; Ovarian Reserve; Pregnancy; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency; Reproduction; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 31077289
DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz084 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2022Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a multifactorial disease that refers to the occurrence of secondary amenorrhea, estrogen decrease, and gonadotropin increase in women... (Review)
Review
Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a multifactorial disease that refers to the occurrence of secondary amenorrhea, estrogen decrease, and gonadotropin increase in women under the age of 40. The prevalence of POF is increasing year by year, and the existing instances can be categorized as primary or secondary cases. This disease has adverse effects on both the physiology and psychology of women. Hormone replacement therapy is the recommended treatment for POF, and a multidisciplinary strategy is required to enhance the quality of life of patients. According to recent studies, the primary mechanism of POF is the depletion of ovarian reserve function as a result of increased primordial follicular activation or primordial follicular insufficiency. Therefore, understanding the processes of primordial follicle activation and associated pathways and exploring effective interventions are important for the treatment of POF.
PubMed: 36507521
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.999440 -
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and... May 2021Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become a novel treatment in various aspects of medicine including orthopedics, cardiothoracic surgery, plastic surgery, dermatology,... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become a novel treatment in various aspects of medicine including orthopedics, cardiothoracic surgery, plastic surgery, dermatology, dentistry, and diabetic wound healing. PRP is now starting to become an area of interest in reproductive medicine more specifically focusing on infertility. Poor ovarian reserve, menopause, premature ovarian failure, and thin endometrium have been the main areas of research. The aim of this article is to review the existing literature on the effects of autologous PRP in reproductive medicine providing a summation of the current studies and assessing the need for additional research.
METHODS
A literature search is performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL Plus to identify studies focusing on the use of PRP therapy in reproductive medicine. Articles were divided into 3 categories: PRP in thin lining, PRP in poor ovarian reserve, and PRP in recurrent implantation failure.
RESULTS
In women with thin endometrium, the literature shows an increase in endometrial thickness and increase in chemical and clinical pregnancy rates following autologous PRP therapy. In women with poor ovarian reserve, autologous intraovarian PRP therapy increased anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels and decreased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), with a trend toward increasing clinical and live birth rates. This trend was also noted in women with recurrent implantation failure.
CONCLUSIONS
Limited literature shows promise in increasing endometrial thickness, increasing AMH, and decreasing FSH levels, as well as increasing chemical and clinical pregnancy rates. The lack of standardization of PRP preparation along with the lack of large randomized controlled trials needs to be addressed in future studies. Until definitive large RCTs are available, PRP use should be considered experimental.
Topics: Anti-Mullerian Hormone; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Infertility, Female; Ovarian Reserve; Ovulation Induction; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Pregnancy; Reproductive Medicine
PubMed: 33723748
DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02146-9 -
Genes Oct 2022Various pathogenic factors can lead to oogenesis failure and seriously affect both female reproductive health and fertility. Genetic factors play an important role in... (Review)
Review
Various pathogenic factors can lead to oogenesis failure and seriously affect both female reproductive health and fertility. Genetic factors play an important role in folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation but still need to be clarified. Oocyte maturation is a well-organized complex process, regulated by a large number of genes. Pathogenic variants in these genes as well as aneuploidy, defects in mitochondrial genome, and other genetic and epigenetic factors can result in unexplained infertility, early pregnancy loss, and recurrent failures of IVF/ICSI programs due to poor ovarian response to stimulation, oocyte maturation arrest, poor gamete quality, fertilization failure, or early embryonic developmental arrest. In this paper, we review the main genes, as well as provide a description of the defects in the mitochondrial genome, associated with female infertility.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Oogenesis; Oocytes; Infertility, Female; Embryonic Development
PubMed: 36360157
DOI: 10.3390/genes13111920 -
Stem Cell Research & Therapy Aug 2021As one of the problems and diseases for women before 40 years, premature ovarian failure (POF) could be characterized by amenorrhea, low estrogen levels, infertility,... (Review)
Review
As one of the problems and diseases for women before 40 years, premature ovarian failure (POF) could be characterized by amenorrhea, low estrogen levels, infertility, high gonadotropin levels, and lack of mature follicles. Causes of the disease involve some genetic disorders, autoimmunity diseases, and environmental factors. Various approaches have been employed to treat POF, however with limited success. Today, stem cells are used to treat POF, since they have the potential to self-repair and regenerate, and are effective in treating ovarian failure and infertility. As mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) could simultaneously activate several mechanisms, many researchers consider MSC transplantation to be the best and most effective approach in cell therapy. A good source for mesenchymal stem cells is human umbilical cord (HUCMSC). Animal models with cyclophosphamide are required for stem cell treatment and performance of HUCMSC transplantation. Stem cell therapy could indicate the levels of ovarian markers and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor. It also increases ovarian weight, plasma E2 levels, and the amount of standard follicles. Herein, the causes of POF, effective treatment strategies, and the effect of HUCMSC transplantation for the treatment of premature ovarian failure are reviewed. Many studies have been conducted in this field, and the results have shown that stem cell treatment is an effective approach to treat infertility.
Topics: Animals; Female; Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency; Umbilical Cord
PubMed: 34380572
DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02529-w -
Biomedicines Jan 2019The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis is a tightly regulated system controlling female reproduction. HPO axis dysfunction leading to ovulation disorders can be... (Review)
Review
The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis is a tightly regulated system controlling female reproduction. HPO axis dysfunction leading to ovulation disorders can be classified into three categories defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Group I ovulation disorders involve hypothalamic failure characterized as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Group II disorders display a eugonadal state commonly associated with a wide range of endocrinopathies. Finally, group III constitutes hypergonadotropic hypogonadism secondary to depleted ovarian function. Optimal evaluation and management of these disorders is based on a careful analysis tailored to each patient. This article reviews ovulation disorders based on pathophysiologic mechanisms, evaluation principles, and currently available management options.
PubMed: 30621143
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines7010005 -
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine... Jun 2021Social and environmental factors render premature ovarian failure (POF) as a major cause of decline or loss of female fertility. The natural pregnancy rate of patients... (Review)
Review
Social and environmental factors render premature ovarian failure (POF) as a major cause of decline or loss of female fertility. The natural pregnancy rate of patients with POF is only 5%-10%. Follicular atresia is the main factor in the pathogenesis of POF. Due to the unique ovarian physiological environment and follicular developmental processes, the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells and oocytes together cause follicular atresia, which involves the apoptosis-related internal and external pathways. Furthermore, during POF, apoptosis and oxidative stress forms a ""vicious circle"", which involves a variety of changes between the molecules. The existing pharmaceutical preparations such as gonadal hormones are the basic methods for the treatment of POF, and the curative effect was affirmative; however, it was ineffective after withdrawn, while the long-term application led to adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a history of treating gynecological diseases and infertility and has gained increasing attention. Studies have shown that compounds isolated from herbal medicine exerted a positive effect on follicular atresia caused by cell apoptosis that also improved the POF. The present study reviewed the mechanisms underlying the apoptosis in POF and elaborated the internal mechanism of TCM in the treatment of the condition.
Topics: Apoptosis; Female; Follicular Atresia; Granulosa Cells; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Pregnancy; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
PubMed: 34114409
DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2021.03.017