Association of senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins with ovarian reserve among middle-aged/older women

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association of circulating senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins, secreted by senescent cells, with indicators of women's ovarian reserve.

Methods: This secondary analysis of cross-sectional baseline survey data was undertaken by the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study Cardiovascular Disease Association Study. A total of 223 women (aged 40-82 y), without any history of oophorectomy, hysterectomy, or other medical conditions that could lower the ovarian reserve, were enrolled in this analysis. Chronological age (years), menopausal status, and serum anti-müllerian hormone (ng/mL) level were used to assess the associations among biological aging, accelerated menopausal aging, and ovarian reserve.

Results: Of the 223 women participants (53.4 ± 11.0 y), 147 (46.4 ± 3.9 y) and 76 (67.0 ± 6.9 y) were premenopausal and postmenopausal, respectively. Serum levels of senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins were generally higher in postmenopausal, than in premenopausal, women. In the analyses adjusted for chronological age and body mass index, 17 senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins were associated with menopausal status. However, in premenopausal women, no association trends with the level of anti-müllerian hormone were detected for a total of 28 senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins.

Conclusions: In a cohort of middle-aged/older women, the level of circulating senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins indicated chronological age and menopausal status. Yet, serum levels of senescence-associated secretory phenotype protein potentially have limited predictive value for ascertaining ovarian reserve in premenopausal women.