Molecular mechanisms of ovarian fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Ovarian fibrosis is increasingly recognized as a pivotal factor contributing to ovarian ageing, dysfunction, and female infertility. It results from chronic or repetitive ovarian injury, such as that caused by repeated ovulation, which induces inflammation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, predominantly by activated fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. The key molecular pathways driving ovarian fibrosis include transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)/Smad signalling, Wnt/β-catenin, and PI3K/Akt pathways, which orchestrate fibroblast activation, ECM remodelling, and tissue stiffening. Elevated collagen types I and III, fibronectin, and hyaluronan characterize the fibrotic ovarian stroma, disrupting normal folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis. Ovarian fibrosis is also implicate

SUBMITTER: Edepli BG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12776365 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature