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Review
. 2023 Apr 6;16(1):67.
doi: 10.1186/s13048-023-01151-z.

Mechanisms of ovarian aging in women: a review

Xiangfei Wang  1 , Lingjuan Wang  2 , Wenpei Xiang  3
Affiliations
Review

Mechanisms of ovarian aging in women: a review

Xiangfei Wang et al. J Ovarian Res. .

Abstract

Ovarian aging is a natural and physiological aging process characterized by loss of quantity and quality of oocyte or follicular pool. As it is generally accepted that women are born with a finite follicle pool that will go through constant decline without renewing, which, together with decreased oocyte quality, makes a severe situation for women who is of advanced age but desperate for a healthy baby. The aim of our review was to investigate mechanisms leading to ovarian aging by discussing both extra- and intra- ovarian factors and to identify genetic characteristics of ovarian aging. The mechanisms were identified as both extra-ovarian alternation of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and intra-ovarian alternation of ovary itself, including telomere, mitochondria, oxidative stress, DNA damage, protein homeostasis, aneuploidy, apoptosis and autophagy. Moreover, here we reviewed related Genome-wide association studies (GWAS studies) from 2009 to 2021 and next generation sequencing (NGS) studies of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) in order to describe genetic characteristics of ovarian aging. It is reasonable to wish more reliable anti-aging interventions for ovarian aging as the exploration of mechanisms and genetics being progressing.

Keywords: Aging; Genetics; Infertility; Oocyte; Ovarian follicle; Ovary.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The interaction between brain and ovary through HPO axis by hormone release. Main neurotransmitter secretion in CNS that might affect the release of GnRH in hypothalamus include Glu, GABA and transmitters secreted by KNDy cells, including NKB, Kisspeptin and DYN. Brain interacts with ovary through hormones secreted from pituitary gland (FSH and LH) and from ovary (Estrogen, Progestin and inhibin). The relationship between ovary and brain can be described as HPO axis
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Overview of alternation in ovary with advanced age that contributes to ovarian aging
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
GO enrichment analysis of 168 candidate genes identified by WES in POI patients
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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