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Mechanisms Linking Metabolism and Reproductive Diseases 2.0

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 January 2024) | Viewed by 4279

Special Issue Editors

2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aretaieion” University Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece
Interests: metabolism; obesity; appetite axis; endometrial environment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
Interests: reproductive endocrinology; infertility; endometriosis; assisted reproduction; endoscopic surgery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Metabolic and reproductive disorders have a widespread incidence in our societies. Their effects affect a large part of the reproductive population. Their pathophysiology is not well understood. Important information is missing regarding their origins, etiology, and molecular mechanisms, thus preventing successful therapies. Metabolism and female reproduction are both regulated by centers located in the hypothalamus. There are data for the neuronal regulation of GnRH, which is located in hypothalamus. At the same time, inflammation of the nuclei which are centers of metabolism/appetite in the hypothalamus can cause obesity, and is associated with metabolic disorders. External stimuli such as diet and stress acting directly upon the hypothalamus can affect reproduction and metabolism. The surplus of nutrients and the reduced energy expenditure lead to alterations in metabolic pathways and to impairments in inter-relations between energy metabolism and reproduction. Reproductive health can be influenced by energetic states such as being under- and overweight, altering molecules and hormones. Obesity is associated with reproductive disorders, and there are conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome which present with reproductive and metabolic disorders. Furthermore, during pregnancy, epigenetic changes can predispose the growing fetus to future metabolic and reproductive disorders. In this Special Issue, we aim to highlight molecular mechanisms that link metabolic and reproductive diseases, thus resulting in diseases which include both. Secondly, we hope to review the metabolic determinants of female reproduction. Thirdly, we aim to explore the effect of molecular metabolic parameters and their role in reproduction.

Dr. Georgios Valsamakis
Prof. Dr. Nikos F. Vlahos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • metabolism
  • reproduction
  • hypothalamus
  • PCOS
  • endometrial environment
  • fertility
  • molecules

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1094 KiB  
Article
Preconception Diet Interventions in Obese Outbred Mice and the Impact on Female Offspring Metabolic Health and Oocyte Quality
by Ben Meulders, Waleed F. A. Marei, Inne Xhonneux, Lien Loier, Anouk Smits and Jo L. M. R. Leroy
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(4), 2236; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25042236 - 13 Feb 2024
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Abstract
Obese individuals often suffer from metabolic health disorders and reduced oocyte quality. Preconception diet interventions in obese outbred mice restore metabolic health and oocyte quality and mitochondrial ultrastructure. Also, studies in inbred mice have shown that maternal obesity induces metabolic alterations and reduces [...] Read more.
Obese individuals often suffer from metabolic health disorders and reduced oocyte quality. Preconception diet interventions in obese outbred mice restore metabolic health and oocyte quality and mitochondrial ultrastructure. Also, studies in inbred mice have shown that maternal obesity induces metabolic alterations and reduces oocyte quality in offspring (F1). Until now, the effect of maternal high-fat diet on F1 metabolic health and oocyte quality and the potential beneficial effects of preconception dietary interventions have not been studied together in outbred mice. Therefore, we fed female mice a high-fat/high-sugar (HF/HS) diet for 7 weeks and switched them to a control (CONT) or caloric-restriction (CR) diet or maintained them on the HF/HS diet for 4 weeks before mating, resulting in three treatment groups: diet normalization (DN), CR, and HF/HS. In the fourth group, mice were fed CONT diet for 11 weeks (CONT). HF/HS mice were fed an HF/HS diet from conception until weaning, while all other groups were then fed a CONT diet. After weaning, offspring were kept on chow diet and sacrificed at 11 weeks. We observed significantly elevated serum insulin concentrations in female HF/HS offspring and a slightly increased percentage of mitochondrial ultrastructural abnormalities, mitochondrial size, and mitochondrial mean gray intensity in HF/HS F1 oocytes. Also, global DNA methylation was increased and cellular stress-related proteins were downregulated in HF/HS F1 oocytes. Mostly, these alterations were prevented in the DN group, while, in CR, this was only the case for a few parameters. In conclusion, this research has demonstrated for the first time that a maternal high-fat diet in outbred mice has a moderate impact on female F1 metabolic health and oocyte quality and that preconception DN is a better strategy to alleviate this compared to CR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms Linking Metabolism and Reproductive Diseases 2.0)
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Review

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25 pages, 3884 KiB  
Review
Essential Role of Granulosa Cell Glucose and Lipid Metabolism on Oocytes and the Potential Metabolic Imbalance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
by Chen-Hua Zhang, Xiang-Yi Liu and Jing Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(22), 16247; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216247 - 13 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1811
Abstract
Granulosa cells are crucial for the establishment and maintenance of bidirectional communication among oocytes. Various intercellular material exchange modes, including paracrine and gap junction, are used between them to achieve the efficient delivery of granulosa cell structural components, energy substrates, and signaling molecules [...] Read more.
Granulosa cells are crucial for the establishment and maintenance of bidirectional communication among oocytes. Various intercellular material exchange modes, including paracrine and gap junction, are used between them to achieve the efficient delivery of granulosa cell structural components, energy substrates, and signaling molecules to oocytes. Glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism are two basic energy metabolism pathways in granulosa cells; these are involved in the normal development of oocytes. Pyruvate, produced by granulosa cell glycolysis, is an important energy substrate for oocyte development. Granulosa cells regulate changes in intrafollicular hormone levels through the processing of steroid hormones to control the development process of oocytes. This article reviews the material exchange between oocytes and granulosa cells and expounds the significance of granulosa cells in the development of oocytes through both glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism. In addition, we discuss the effects of glucose and lipid metabolism on oocytes under pathological conditions and explore its relationship to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A series of changes were found in the endogenous molecules and ncRNAs that are related to glucose and lipid metabolism in granulosa cells under PCOS conditions. These findings provide a new therapeutic target for patients with PCOS; additionally, there is potential for improving the fertility of patients with PCOS and the clinical outcomes of assisted reproduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms Linking Metabolism and Reproductive Diseases 2.0)
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28 pages, 1875 KiB  
Review
Metabolic Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Targets for Prevention of Ovarian Aging: Data from Up-to-Date Experimental Studies
by Konstantinos Valtetsiotis, Georgios Valsamakis, Evangelia Charmandari and Nikolaos F. Vlahos
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(12), 9828; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24129828 - 06 Jun 2023
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Abstract
Female infertility and reproduction is an ongoing and rising healthcare issue, resulting in delaying the decision to start a family. Therefore, in this review, we examine potential novel metabolic mechanisms involved in ovarian aging according to recent data and how these mechanisms may [...] Read more.
Female infertility and reproduction is an ongoing and rising healthcare issue, resulting in delaying the decision to start a family. Therefore, in this review, we examine potential novel metabolic mechanisms involved in ovarian aging according to recent data and how these mechanisms may be addressed through new potential medical treatments. We examine novel medical treatments currently available based mostly on experimental stem cell procedures as well as caloric restriction (CR), hyperbaric oxygen treatment and mitochondrial transfer. Understanding the connection between metabolic and reproductive pathways has the potential to offer a significant scientific breakthrough in preventing ovarian aging and prolonging female fertility. Overall, the field of ovarian aging is an emerging field that may expand the female fertility window and perhaps even reduce the need for artificial reproductive techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms Linking Metabolism and Reproductive Diseases 2.0)
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