Bochynska Stefania, García-Pérez Miguel Ángel, Tarín Juan J, Szeliga Anna, Meczekalski Blazej, Cano Antonio
Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland.
Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Valencia, and INCLIVA, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain.
J Clin Med. 2025 Aug 18;14(16):5834. doi: 10.3390/jcm14165834.
Ovarian aging is characterized by a gradual decline in both reproductive and endocrine functions, ultimately culminating in the cessation of ovarian activity around the age of 50, when most women experience natural menopause. The decline begins early, as follicular attrition is initiated in utero and continues throughout childhood and reproductive life. Most follicles undergo atresia without progressing through substantial stages of growth. With increasing age, a pronounced reduction occurs in the population of resting follicles within the ovarian reserve, accompanied by a decline in the size of growing follicular cohorts. Around the age of 38, the rate of follicular depletion accelerates, sometimes resulting in diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). The subsequent menopausal transition involves complex, irregular hormonal dynamics, manifesting as increasingly erratic menstrual patterns, primarily driven by fluctuations in circulating estrogens and a rising incidence of anovulatory cycles. In parallel with the progressive depletion of the follicular pool, the serum concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) decline gradually, while reductions in inhibin B levels become more apparent during the late reproductive years. The concomitant decline in both inhibin B and estrogen levels leads to a compensatory rise in circulating follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations. Together, these endocrine changes, alongside the eventual exhaustion of the follicular reserve, converge in the onset of menopause, which is defined by the absence of menstruation for twelve consecutive months. The mechanisms contributing to ovarian aging are complex and multifactorial, involving both the oocyte and the somatic cells within the follicular microenvironment. Oxidative stress is thought to play a central role in the age-related decline in oocyte quality, primarily through its harmful effects on mitochondrial DNA integrity and broader aspects of cellular function. Although granulosa cells appear to be relatively more resilient, they are not exempt from age-associated damage, which may impair their hormonal activity and, given their close functional relationship with the oocyte, negatively influence oocyte competence. In addition, histological changes in the ovarian stroma, such as fibrosis and heightened inflammatory responses, are believed to further contribute to the progressive deterioration of ovarian function. A deeper understanding of the biological processes driving ovarian aging has facilitated the development of experimental interventions aimed at extending ovarian functionality. Among these are the autologous transfer of mitochondria and stem cell-based therapies, including the use of exosome-producing cells. Additional approaches involve targeting longevity pathways, such as those modulated by caloric restriction, or employing pharmacological agents with geroprotective properties. While these strategies are supported by compelling experimental data, robust clinical evidence in humans remains limited.
卵巢衰老的特征是生殖和内分泌功能逐渐下降,最终在50岁左右卵巢活动停止,此时大多数女性经历自然绝经。这种下降从早期就开始了,因为卵泡闭锁在子宫内就已启动,并在整个儿童期和生殖期持续。大多数卵泡在未经历显著生长阶段的情况下就发生闭锁。随着年龄的增长,卵巢储备中静止卵泡的数量显著减少,同时生长卵泡群的大小也下降。在38岁左右,卵泡耗竭的速度加快,有时会导致卵巢储备功能下降(DOR)。随后的绝经过渡涉及复杂、不规则的激素动态变化,表现为月经模式越来越不规律,主要由循环雌激素的波动和无排卵周期发生率的上升所驱动。随着卵泡池的逐渐耗竭,抗苗勒管激素(AMH)的血清浓度逐渐下降,而抑制素B水平在生殖后期的下降更为明显。抑制素B和雌激素水平的同时下降导致循环卵泡刺激素(FSH)浓度的代偿性升高。这些内分泌变化,连同卵泡储备的最终耗尽,共同导致了绝经的开始,绝经的定义是连续十二个月无月经。导致卵巢衰老的机制复杂且多因素,涉及卵母细胞和卵泡微环境中的体细胞。氧化应激被认为在与年龄相关的卵母细胞质量下降中起核心作用,主要是通过其对线粒体DNA完整性和更广泛的细胞功能方面的有害影响。尽管颗粒细胞似乎相对更具弹性,但它们也难免受到与年龄相关的损伤,这可能会损害它们的激素活性,并且鉴于它们与卵母细胞密切的功能关系,会对卵母细胞的能力产生负面影响。此外,卵巢基质的组织学变化,如纤维化和炎症反应加剧,被认为会进一步导致卵巢功能的逐渐恶化。对驱动卵巢衰老的生物学过程的更深入理解促进了旨在延长卵巢功能的实验性干预措施的发展。其中包括线粒体的自体移植和基于干细胞的疗法,包括使用产生外泌体的细胞。其他方法包括针对长寿途径,如那些由热量限制调节的途径,或使用具有老年保护特性的药物。虽然这些策略得到了令人信服的实验数据的支持,但在人类中的有力临床证据仍然有限。