Molecular insights into the aetiology of female reproductive ageing.

ABSTRACT: As age at pubertal onset declines and age at first pregnancy increases, the mechanisms that regulate female reproductive lifespan become increasingly relevant to population health. The timing of menarche and menopause can have profound effects not only on fertility but also on the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. Genetic studies have identified dozens of highly penetrant rare mutations associated with reproductive disorders, and also ∼175 common genetic variants associated with the timing of puberty or menopause. These findings, alongside other functional studies, have highlighted a diverse range of mechanisms involved in reproductive ageing, implicating core biological processes such as cell cycle regulation and energy homeostasi

SUBMITTER: Perry JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6309261 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature