Journal
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
Volume 92, Issue 5, Pages -Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.127381
Keywords
female infertility; gonadal function; menopause; ovary; primary ovarian insufficiency
Categories
Funding
- Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Aging, NIH
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The narrow standard age range of menopause, similar to 50 yr, belies the complex balance of forces that govern the underlying formation and progressive loss of ovarian follicles (the ovarian reserve'' whose size determines the age of menopause). We show here the first quantitative graph of follicle numbers, distinguished from oocyte counts, across the reproductive lifespan, and review the current state of information about genetic and epidemiological risk factors in relation to possible preservation of reproductive capacity. In addition to structural X-chromosome changes, several genes involved in the process of follicle formation and/or maintenance are implicated in Mendelian inherited primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), with menopause before age 40. Furthermore, variants in a largely distinct cohort of reported genes-notably involved in pathways relevant to atresia, including DNA repair and cell death-have shown smaller but additive effects on the variation in timing of menopause in the normal range, early menopause (age <45), and POI. Epidemiological factors show effect sizes comparable to those of genetic factors, with smoking accounting for about 5% of the risk of early menopause, equivalent to the summed effect of the top 17 genetic variants. The identified genetic and epidemiological factors underline the importance of early detection of reproductive problems to enhance possible interventions.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available