Circadian Clock, Time-Restricted Feeding and Reproduction

Abstract

The goal of this review was to seek a better understanding of the function and differential expression of circadian clock genes during the reproductive process. Through a discussion of how the circadian clock is involved in these steps, the identification of new clinical targets for sleep disorder-related diseases, such as reproductive failure, will be elucidated. Here, we focus on recent research findings regarding circadian clock regulation within the reproductive system, shedding new light on circadian rhythm-related problems in women. Discussions on the roles that circadian clock plays in these reproductive processes will help identify new clinical targets for such sleep disorder-related diseases.

Keywords: circadian clock; hormone regulation; neural regulation; reproduction; reproductive failure; time-restricted feeding.

Figure 1

Light and Food intake are main input factors of circadian clock genes. In brain suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) as well as peripheral clock: Clock and Bmal1 heterodimerize to activate transcription of circadian target genes including the genes of Per 1/2/3 and Cry1/2). Per and Cry interact and inhibit Bmal1 and Clock. Clock genes rhythm are present in a wide array of other tissues (including the liver, kidney, lung, heart, etc.) and these tissues have their own rhythm distinct from that of the SCN. SCN circadian clock can control behavior, feeding and reproduction through neurotransmitters and hormones to regulate reproduction.

Figure 2

The number of references found for each year (From 2000 to 2019) of publication on the PubMed database using the keyword ‘Circadian Rhythm’ (left) or ‘Circadian Rhythm + Reproduction’ (right). In 2019, this number of Circadian Rhythm was 1621, the number of Circadian Rhythm reproduction was 53.