The Implications of Insufficient Zinc on the Generation of Oxidative Stress Leading to Decreased Oocyte Quality

Minerals and the Menstrual Cycle: Impacts on Ovulation and Endometrial Health

“…During the first half of the menstrual cycle, known as the follicular phase, increased GnRH secretion stimulates the release of FSH and LH, which are crucial for follicle development and preparing the body for ovulation; in the second half, the luteal phase, GnRH secretion is reduced as rising progesterone levels from the corpus luteum exert negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland [36]. Zn aids hormone synthesis [37] by influencing LH, FSH [38], and steroid synthesis [39,40], and, along with Se [41,42], safeguards the oocyte from reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage [43,44]. In the luteal phase, Ca [45,46], Zn [47,48], Fe [49][50][51][52][53], and magnesium (Mg) [54,55] collectively support endometrial function [56].…”

“…Oxidative stress plays a central role in impairing female fertility [183]. Direct effects include increased uterine inflammation [258], increased risk of miscarriage [259], decreased embryo quality [43,183], increased risk of disease associated with reproduction [245,258,260], and growing insulin resistance that potentially impairs fertility [261]. Iron Oxidative stress plays a central role in impairing female fertility [183].…”

“…Iron Oxidative stress plays a central role in impairing female fertility [183]. Direct effects include increased uterine inflammation [258], increased risk of miscarriage [259], decreased embryo quality [43,183], increased risk of disease associated with reproduction [245,258,260], and growing insulin resistance that potentially impairs fertility [261]. Iron overload [262], deficiency of selenium [263], zinc deficiency [264], low magnesium intake [265], and imbalance of copper [266] in the body promote oxidative stress and, thus, have indirect effects on fertility.…”

“…It safeguards the oocytes, which are especially vulnerable to ROS-induced damage during maturation, thereby enhancing the likelihood of successful fertilization [99,272,273]. Concurrently, zinc facilitates the ovulation process by maintaining an ROS balance, promoting a consistent ovulatory cycle [43,219]. Post-fertilization, zinc serves a protective role for the developing embryo against ROS-induced harm, augmenting the prospects for successful implantation and development [44,[274][275][276][277].…”

“…Insulin metabolism [105] Steroid synthesis [39,40] Hormone Balance [37] Regulation of LH and FSH [38] Ovulation [219] Oocyte maturation [208,209], development [228], and quality [226] Antioxidant properties [264,269], protect embryos from ROS [43,44], and modulate inflammation in endometriosis [281,368] Cellular proliferation and differentiation in the endometrium [56], neutralizes alterations [279] and deficiency correlates with endometrial cysts and polyps [47,48] Mg Cofactor for the production and function of estrogen [163,164], stabilizing glucose metabolism [174] and disbalances are associated with PCOS [165,166,168] Mg deficiency leads to oxidative stress [327,329,330]. Magnesium can preserve the quality of the oocyte [251,327], modulate the ovulation process [338], and contribute to the healthy functioning of the endometrium [337].…”