CD38 regulates ovarian function and fecundity via NAD⁺ metabolism.

ABSTRACT: Mammalian female reproductive lifespan is typically significantly shorter than life expectancy and is associated with a decrease in ovarian NAD+ levels. However, the mechanisms underlying this loss of ovarian NAD+ are unclear. Here, we show that CD38, an NAD+ consuming enzyme, is expressed in the ovarian extrafollicular space, primarily in immune cells, and its levels increase with reproductive age. Reproductively young mice lacking CD38 exhibit larger primordial follicle pools, elevated ovarian NAD+ levels, and increased fecundity relative to wild type controls. This larger ovarian reserve results from a prolonged window of follicle formation during early development. However, the beneficial effect of CD38 loss on reproductive function is not maintained at advanced age. Our results demons

SUBMITTER: Perrone R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10562803 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature