Cellular and molecular aspects of ovarian follicle ageing

It is well established that age-related decline of the biological capacity of a woman to reproduce is primarily related to the poor developmental potential of her gametes. This renders female ageing the most significant determinant of success in IVF. Starting with a reference picture of the main mol...

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Published in:Human reproduction update 2008-03, Vol.14 (2), p.131-142
Main Authors: Tatone, Carla, Amicarelli, Fernanda, Carbone, Maria Cristina, Monteleone, Patrizia, Caserta, Donatella, Marci, Roberto, Artini, Paolo Giovanni, Piomboni, Paola, Focarelli, Riccardo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging - metabolism
Aging - pathology
antioxidants
Cellular Senescence
Female
female infertility
follicle development
Glycation End Products, Advanced - metabolism
Humans
Infertility, Female - metabolism
Infertility, Female - pathology
Ovarian Follicle - metabolism
Ovarian Follicle - ultrastructure
ovarian function
Oxidative Stress
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Summary:It is well established that age-related decline of the biological capacity of a woman to reproduce is primarily related to the poor developmental potential of her gametes. This renders female ageing the most significant determinant of success in IVF. Starting with a reference picture of the main molecular and cellular failures of aged oocytes, granulosa cells and follicular microenvironment, this review focuses on age-related biochemical mechanisms underlying these changes. According to the most relevant concept of ageing, age-associated malfuction results from physiological accumulation of irreparable damage to biomolecules as an unavoidable side effect of normal metabolism. More than a decade after the free radical theory of ovarian ageing, biological and clinical research supporting the involvement of oxidative injuries in follicle ageing is discussed. Looking for the aetiology of oxidative stress, we consider the effect of ageing on ovarian and follicular vascularization. Then, we propose a potential role of advanced glycation end-products known to be involved in the physiological ageing of most tissues and organs. We conclude that future investigation of age-related molecular damage in the different ovarian components will be imperative in order to evaluate the possibility to save or rescue the developmental potential of aged oocytes.
ISSN:1355-4786
1460-2369
DOI:10.1093/humupd/dmm048