Adipokines and the Female Reproductive Tract

Abstract

It is well known that adipose tissue can influence puberty, sexual maturation, and fertility in different species. Adipose tissue secretes molecules called adipokines which most likely have an endocrine effect on reproductive function. It has been revealed over the last few years that adipokines are functionally implicated at all levels of the reproductive axis including the gonad and hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Many studies have shown the presence and the role of the adipokines and their receptors in the female reproductive tract of different species. These adipokines regulate ovarian steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation, and embryo development. They are also present in the uterus and placenta where they could create a favorable environment for embryonic implantation and play a key role in maternal-fetal metabolism communication and gestation. Reproductive functions are strongly dependent on energy balance, and thereby metabolic abnormalities can lead to the development of some pathophysiologies such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Adipokines could be a link between reproduction and energy metabolism and could partly explain some infertility related to obesity or PCOS.

Adiponectin and resistin: potential metabolic signals affecting hypothalamo-pituitary gonadal axis in females and males of different species

“…For a long time, this organ was considered as a simple tissue for the storage of triglycerides. However, it is now well established that white adipose tissue synthesises and secretes numerous cytokines, termed as adipokines that participate in several physiological and pathological processes, such as food intake and metabolic control, diabetes, atherosclerosis, immunity and also reproductive functions (Reverchon et al 2014). In the present review, we describe and analyse the role of two of these adipokines, adiponectin and resistin, in the female and male hypothalamo-pituitarygonadal axis.…”

Expression and effect of NAMPT (visfatin) on progesterone secretion in hen granulosa cells

“…Nicotinamide phosphorybosyltransferase (NAMPT), also known as a pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF), is a 52 kDa mammalian protein that is constitutively synthesised by adipose tissue and many other tissues, including reproductive tissue (Reverchon et al 2014). NAMPT has been shown to have several intra-and extra-cellular functions, and two isoforms, intracellular and extracellular, have been reported.…”

Effects of adipocyte-secreted factors on decidualized endometrial cells: modulation of endometrial receptivity in vitro

“…This increase was first appreciated at day 3 of decidualization and spiked from day 7 onwards (data not shown). Additionally, we also analyzed the expression of the receptors of different adipokines, previously known to have endometrial effects [32]: leptin receptor (LEPR), adiponectin receptor 1 (ADIPOR1), adiponectin receptor 2 (ADIPOR2), and chemerin receptor (CMKLR1) throughout the decidualization process.…”

“…Expression of adipokine receptors in endometrium has previously been described in several species such as rodents, pig, and human (reviewed in [32]). Herein, we describe an increase of adipokine receptors in endometrial cells (both stromal and epithelial) during decidualization process indicating that adipokines may play a role at the implantation time as they are tightly regulated by estradiol and progesterone.…”

“…These adipokines have been previously pointed as a potential link between obesity and infertility. Indeed, current evidence suggests roles for leptin, adiponectin, and resistin in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and the ovarian and endometrial functions (reviewed in [32]). The endometrium, the inner layer covering the uterine cavity, is composed mainly by epithelial and stromal cells communicating each other in an autocrine and paracrine fashion (reviewed in [12]).…”