Anti-aging Breakthrough may Boost Middle-Aged Women’s Fertility
The decline in women’s fertility typically begins in their mid-30s, posing challenges for conceiving in middle age. Scientists have discovered a mechanism that accelerates ovarian aging and have, in mice at least, identified a method to decelerate it, potentially enhancing fertility later in life.
Not all our organs age at a uniform rate, and unfortunately, the ovaries are among the quickest to age, although the exact reasons remain unclear. From around the age of 35, ovaries experience accelerated aging, resulting in diminished egg quality and reduced chances of conception. While some individuals resort to in vitro fertilization (IVF), this method can be costly and introduces additional risks.
In-Depth Analysis of Age-Related Fertility Decline
In the recent study, researchers from Zhengzhou University in China delved into the biological mechanisms contributing to this decline. They examined gene expression patterns in the ovaries and other organs of young mice at approximately two months of age and middle-aged mice at around eight months old.
In the older mice, there was an elevated expression of a gene named CD38, particularly noticeable in the ovaries. This discovery was somewhat expected, as CD38 is recognized as a biomarker of aging due to its role in producing an enzyme that breaks down a protein called NAD+. Interestingly, the aged mice showed significantly lower levels of NAD+.
NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and its oxidized form, NAD+, play a role in regulating cell metabolism and DNA repair, naturally decreasing with age. Elevated levels have been associated with extended lifespans and improved health in aging, making it a focal point in recent anti-aging studies with promising outcomes. Now, it appears that this common factor is also implicated in age-related declines in fertility.
Qingling Yang, a study co-author, explained, “This depletion [of NAD+] sets forth a cascade of detrimental effects, particularly impacting the quality of both somatic cells and oocytes, thereby exerting a profound influence on female fertility.”
Genetic Intervention and Fertility Boost
In subsequent experiments, the researchers deleted the CD38 gene in older mice. As anticipated, these mice produced more eggs of higher quality and had increased pup production per litter. The team then explored whether a similar effect could be achieved without genetic modification, aiming to make it a more practical fertility treatment.
The researchers utilized a molecule called 78c, known to inhibit CD38, and administered it to naturally aged eight-month-old mice. As expected, NAD+ levels in their ovaries increased, leading to an increased number of offspring.
While the findings are promising, it’s essential to note that the study was conducted in mice, and the results may not directly apply to humans. On a positive note, clinical trials are presently in progress to examine whether enhancing NAD+ levels in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments can enhance success rates and decrease the risk of birth defects.
Read the original article on: New Atlas
