Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Ovarian Aging

Abstract

As women delay childbearing because of demographic and socioeconomic trends, reproductive aging and ensuing ovarian dysfunction become increasingly more prevalent causes of infertility. Age-related decline in fertility is characterized by both quantitative and qualitative deterioration of the ovarian reserve. Importantly, disorders of aging are frequently associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, as are impaired oogenesis and embryogenesis. Ongoing research explores the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in ovarian aging, and potential ways to exploit mitochondrial mechanisms to slow down or reverse age-related changes in female gonads.

Keywords: mitochondrial DNA; mitochondrial dysfunction; oocyte; ovarian aging.