Seasonal reproduction and gonadal function: a focus on humans starting from animal studies

Beltrán-Frutos, E; Casarini, Livio; Santi, Daniele; Brigante, Giulia

doi:10.1093/biolre/ioab199

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 146 publications

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“…Although the outcomes of the published reports have not always been consistent, locally produced or pineal-derived melatonin may have an influence on steroidogenesis in the human ovary. This contrasts with observations on photosensitive, seasonally breeding animals where melatonin has a profound effect on all aspects of ovarian function [ 139 ]. In non-seasonal breeders such as the human, however, the actions of melatonin indirectly or directly on ovarian physiology as it relates to aging are minor [ 140 ].…”

Section: Physiological/biological Ovarian Aging: Protection Using Mel...contrasting

confidence: 72%

Aging-Related Ovarian Failure and Infertility: Melatonin to the Rescue

et al. 2023

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Aging has a major detrimental effect on the optimal function of the ovary with changes in this organ preceding the age-related deterioration in other tissues, with the middle-aged shutdown leading to infertility. Reduced fertility and consequent inability to conceive by women in present-day societies who choose to have children later in life leads to increased frustration. Melatonin is known to have anti-aging properties related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Its higher follicular fluid levels relative to blood concentrations and its likely synthesis in the oocyte, granulosa, and luteal cells suggest that it is optimally positioned to interfere with age-associated deterioration of the ovary. Additionally, the end of the female reproductive span coincides with a significant reduction in endogenous melatonin levels. Thus, the aims are to review the literature indicating melatonin production in mitochondria of oocytes, granulosa cells, and luteal cells, identify the multiple processes underlying changes in the ovary, especially late in the cessation of the reproductive life span, summarize the physiological and molecular actions of melatonin in the maintenance of normal ovaries and in the aging ovaries, and integrate the acquired information into an explanation for considering melatonin in the treatment of age-related infertility. Use of supplemental melatonin may help preserve fertility later in life and alleviate frustration in women delaying childbearing age, reduce the necessity of in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer (IVF-ET) procedures, and help solve the progressively increasing problem of non-aging-related infertility in women throughout their reproductive life span. While additional research is needed to fully understand the effects of melatonin supplementation on potentially enhancing fertility, studies published to date suggest it may be a promising option for those struggling with infertility.

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Section: Physiological/biological Ovarian Aging: Protection Using Mel...contrasting

confidence: 72%

Aging-Related Ovarian Failure and Infertility: Melatonin to the Rescue

et al. 2023

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“…Another important cycle to consider is the seasonality of hormones. Whilst the majority of evidence for the seasonality of hormones is from animal research [ 49 , 50 ], a growing number of studies have investigated this in humans, finding evidence for seasonal changes in dehydroepiandrosterone, cortisol, testosterone and estradiol [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. Future work should investigate associations between seasonal changes in steroids and disease, with seasonal affective disorder and rheumatological conditions already being studied with regard to seasonal steroid variations [ 55 , 56 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using LC-MS/MS to Determine Salivary Steroid Reference Intervals in a European Older Adult Population

et al. 2023

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A number of steroids, including glucocorticoids and sex hormones, have been associated with neurodegenerative and cardiovascular conditions common in aging populations. The application of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) steroid analysis offers an opportunity to conduct simultaneous multiplex steroid analysis within a given sample. In this paper, we describe the application of an LC-MS/MS steroid analysis method for the assessment of reference ranges of steroids in human saliva samples (200 µL) collected from older adults (age 50 years and above) enrolled in a European cohort investigating the risk for Alzheimer’s dementia. Saliva samples were prepared using supported liquid extraction (SLE) along with a calibration curve and analysed using a Waters I-Class UPLC (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography) and a Sciex QTrap 6500+ mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometry parameters of steroids were optimised for each steroid and a method for the chromatographic separation of 19 steroids was developed. Lower limits of quantitation (LLOQs), linearity and other method criteria were assessed. In total, data from 125 participants (500 samples) were analysed and assessed for reference ranges (64 male, 61 female). A total of 19 steroids were detected in saliva within the range of the method. There were clear diurnal patterns in most of the steroid hormones detected. Sex differences were observed for androstenedione (A4), testosterone (T), cortisone (E) and aldosterone (Aldo). In the first sample of the day, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was significantly higher in healthy volunteers compared to those with Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers. This LC-MS/MS method is suitable for the analysis of 19 steroids in saliva in adults.

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“…In nature, there are animal species that drastically reduce their reproductive capacity at a certain time of the year. This phenomenon is known as seasonal reproduction and is considered a natural mechanism to activate and deactivate the reproductive capacity in adult mammals, which allows for offspring that are born in optimal environmental conditions for their survival [1]. Day length is one of the most important factors regulating seasonal reproduction in these animals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cellular Modifications in Spermatogenesis during Seasonal Testicular Regression: An Update Review in Mammals

Beltrán-Frutos

Seco-Rovira

Martínez-Hernández

et al. 2022

Animals

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Testicular regression occurs during the non-breeding season in many mammals. This affects spermatogenesis, resulting in decreased or arrested activity. Both lead to a decrease or cessation in sperm production. In recent years, the cellular mechanisms that lead to infertility in males in non-reproductive periods have been studied in very different species of mammals. At the start of the present century, the main mechanism involved was considered as an increase in the apoptotic activity of germ cells during the regression period. The loss of spermatogonia and spermatocytes causes not only a decrease in spermatogenesis, but an arrest of the seminiferous epithelium activity at the end of regression. Recently, in some mammal species, it was found that apoptosis is the usual mechanism involved in epithelium activity arrest, although it is firstly atrophied by massive desquamation of the germ cells that are released from their binding with the Sertoli cells, and which are shed into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule. In other species, it has been shown that not only germ cell apoptosis, but also Sertoli cell apoptosis, including decreased proliferative activity, spermatophagy or autophagy, are involved in testicular regression. Furthermore, the most recent studies indicate that there are multiple patterns of seminiferous epithelium regression in seasonally breeding animals, which may not only be used by different species, but also by the same ones to reproduce in the best conditions, ensuring their survival. In conclusion, at this time, it is not possible to consider the existence of a paradigmatic cellular mechanism in the involution of the seminiferous epithelium applicable to all male mammals with seasonal reproduction, rather the existence of several mechanisms which participate to a greater or lesser extent in each of the species that have been studied to date.

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Seasonal reproduction and gonadal function: a focus on humans starting from animal studies

Cited by 11 publications

References 146 publications

Aging-Related Ovarian Failure and Infertility: Melatonin to the Rescue

Aging-Related Ovarian Failure and Infertility: Melatonin to the Rescue

Using LC-MS/MS to Determine Salivary Steroid Reference Intervals in a European Older Adult Population

Cellular Modifications in Spermatogenesis during Seasonal Testicular Regression: An Update Review in Mammals

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