TY - JOUR
T1 - Autophagy and Female Fertility
T2 - Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Emerging Therapies
AU - Harrath, Abdel Halim
AU - Rahman, Md Ataur
AU - Bhajan, Sujay Kumar
AU - Bishwas, Anup Kumar
AU - Rahman, MD Hasanur
AU - Alwasel, Saleh
AU - Jalouli, Maroua
AU - Kang, Sojin
AU - Park, Moon Nyeo
AU - Kim, Bonglee
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.
PY - 2024/8
Y1 - 2024/8
N2 - Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved cellular mechanism essential for maintaining internal stability, plays a crucial function in female reproductive ability. In this review, we discuss the complex interplay between autophagy and several facets of female reproductive health, encompassing pregnancy, ovarian functions, gynecologic malignancies, endometriosis, and infertility. Existing research emphasizes the crucial significance of autophagy in embryo implantation, specifically in the endometrium, highlighting its necessity in ensuring proper fetal development. Although some knowledge has been gained, there is still a lack of research on the specific molecular impacts of autophagy on the quality of oocytes, the growth of follicles, and general reproductive health. Autophagy plays a role in the maturation, quality, and development of oocytes. It is also involved in reproductive aging, contributing to reductions in reproductive function that occur with age. This review explores the physiological functions of autophagy in the female reproductive system, its participation in reproductive toxicity, and its important connections with the endometrium and embryo. In addition, this study investigates the possibility of emerging treatment approaches that aim to modify autophagy, using both natural substances and synthetic molecules, to improve female fertility and reproductive outcomes. Additionally, this review intends to inspire future exploration into the intricate role of autophagy in female reproductive health by reviewing recent studies and pinpointing areas where current knowledge is lacking. Subsequent investigations should prioritize the conversion of these discoveries into practical uses in the medical field, which could potentially result in groundbreaking therapies for infertility and other difficulties related to reproduction. Therefore, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the many effects of autophagy on female fertility would not only further the field of reproductive biology but also open new possibilities for diagnostic and treatment methods.
AB - Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved cellular mechanism essential for maintaining internal stability, plays a crucial function in female reproductive ability. In this review, we discuss the complex interplay between autophagy and several facets of female reproductive health, encompassing pregnancy, ovarian functions, gynecologic malignancies, endometriosis, and infertility. Existing research emphasizes the crucial significance of autophagy in embryo implantation, specifically in the endometrium, highlighting its necessity in ensuring proper fetal development. Although some knowledge has been gained, there is still a lack of research on the specific molecular impacts of autophagy on the quality of oocytes, the growth of follicles, and general reproductive health. Autophagy plays a role in the maturation, quality, and development of oocytes. It is also involved in reproductive aging, contributing to reductions in reproductive function that occur with age. This review explores the physiological functions of autophagy in the female reproductive system, its participation in reproductive toxicity, and its important connections with the endometrium and embryo. In addition, this study investigates the possibility of emerging treatment approaches that aim to modify autophagy, using both natural substances and synthetic molecules, to improve female fertility and reproductive outcomes. Additionally, this review intends to inspire future exploration into the intricate role of autophagy in female reproductive health by reviewing recent studies and pinpointing areas where current knowledge is lacking. Subsequent investigations should prioritize the conversion of these discoveries into practical uses in the medical field, which could potentially result in groundbreaking therapies for infertility and other difficulties related to reproduction. Therefore, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the many effects of autophagy on female fertility would not only further the field of reproductive biology but also open new possibilities for diagnostic and treatment methods.
KW - autophagy
KW - female fertility
KW - follicular development
KW - oocyte quality
KW - reproductive aging
KW - therapeutic interventions
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85202492822&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/cells13161354
DO - 10.3390/cells13161354
M3 - Review article
C2 - 39195244
AN - SCOPUS:85202492822
SN - 2073-4409
VL - 13
JO - Cells
JF - Cells
IS - 16
M1 - 1354
ER -