Role of Hormones and the Potential Impact of Multiple Stresses on Infertility

Abstract

Infertility has a remarkable global impact affecting approximately about 48 million couples worldwide. One of the most contended concerns in reproductive biology is the prospective influence of psychological stress on pregnancy rates. Individuals struggling to conceive face a stupendous amount of emotional turbulence and have a greater risk for psychological vulnerability. Both stress and infertility reinforce the impact of each other; hence, there exists a reciprocal relationship. Stress may be the major contributor to subsequent infertility. Infertility treatments may enhance stress levels as well as reduce treatment outcomes. The biological mechanisms that interlink stress and infertility are the outcome of the hormonal actions at the brain level, where they stimulate or suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and have a potential influence on the secretion of the respective hormone by the reproductive organs and the pregnancy outcomes. Sex hormones play an essential role in reproductive biology as well as in general physiology where they generate the cycle and provide a potential environment for pregnancy. This article reviews the impact of stress on reproductive rates and the implications of sex hormones on infertility. Additionally, it suggests strategies to overcome the stress conditions and the scenarios that may lead to stress.

Unraveling the Link Between Serum Homocysteine Levels and Nutrient Deficiency in Subfertility: A Comprehensive Review

“…Conversely, another investigation projected the prevalence of diagnosed homocystinuria in the US to span between 12,113 and 31,162 cases [5]. In an observational cross-sectional study focusing on an elderly demographic, while the prevalence of total hyperhomocysteinemia was not explicitly disclosed, the findings underscored a significant age-related increase in homocysteine levels [41].…”

“…While advances in assisted reproductive technologies have provided hope and options for many subfertile couples, much remains unknown about the underlying causes of subfertility. This knowledge gap underscores the need for comprehensive research into the factors contributing to subfertility [3][4][5]. In recent years, emerging evidence has suggested a potential link between elevated serum homocysteine levels and subfertility.…”

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Oxidative Stress—From Bench to Bedside

“…It has also been noted that some women with PCOS have reduced antioxidant defense mechanisms, which can lead to an imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant defense, resulting in increased OS [ 24 , 25 ]. In addition, an imbalance in luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and other reproductive hormones can affect ovarian function and may contribute to ROS production [ 26 ].…”

Harnessing the power of nutritional antioxidants against adrenal hormone imbalance-associated oxidative stress

“…However, testosterone’s role in OS is controversial. Multiple studies have demonstrated that testosterone induces OS in the muscle, testis, and human placenta ( 76 ); others indicate that testosterone has antioxidant properties in the prostate and nervous tissue ( 77 ). Testosterone supplements improve the OS parameters in brain tissues and raise antioxidant enzyme levels to reduce oxidative damage.…”