FOXL2 mutations cause gonadal dysgenesis or premature ovarian failure (POF) in women, as well as eyelid/forehead dysmorphology in both sexes (the 'blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome', BPES). Here we report that mice lacking Foxl2 recapitulate relevant features of human BPES: males and females are small and show distinctive craniofacial morphology with upper eyelids absent. Fur...

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a condition affecting 1% of women in the general population, causing amenorrhea, hypergonadotropism and hypoestrogenism before the age of 40. Currently, POF cannot be reversed and, although treatments are available, there is an urgent need for improved treatment strategies. Growth hormone (GH) is a pleiotropic hormone that affects a broad spectrum of physiolog...

BACKGROUND Bushen Tianjing Recipe (BTR) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been prescribed for premature ovarian failure (POF) for decades in China. Nevertheless, little is known regarding its underlying molecular mechanism. In the present study, we investigated the effects of BTR in a tripterygium glycoside (TG)-induced-POF rat model. METHODS Three doses of BTR were administer...

Background: Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a primary infertility disorder characterized by a reduction in the number and/or quality of oocytes, usually accompanied by high follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and regular menses. DOR aetiology factors are different, such as genetic factors, ageing, autoimmune disorders, adrenal gland impairment factors and iatrogenic causes, e.g. chemo...

In female, energy metabolism influences reproductive function by modulating the Hypothalamic Pituitary Ovarian axis including hypothalamic GnRH neuronal network, pituitary gonadotropin secretion and ovarian follicle growth steroidogenesis. Several hormones neuropeptides or metabolites are important signals between balance reproduction. These sensors mediate their action on cells through specifi...

BACKGROUND The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying premature ovarian failure (POF) are largely unknown. Our objective was to develop a working animal model to explore the pathogenesis of POF. Since galactosaemic women eventually develop POF, we evaluated the potential of experimental galactose toxicity as the proposed model. METHODS Pregnant rats were fed pellets supplemented with or wit...

The majority of ovarian primordial follicles must be preserved in a quiescent state to allow for the regular production of gametes over the female reproductive lifespan. However, the molecular mechanism that maintains the long quiescence of primordial follicles is poorly understood. Under certain pathological conditions, the entire pool of primordial follicles matures simultaneously leading to ...

BACKGROUND The human condition known as Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) is characterized by loss of ovarian function before the age of 40. A majority of POF cases are sporadic, but 10-15% are familial, suggesting a genetic origin of the disease. Although several causal mutations have been identified, the etiology of POF is still unknown for about 90% of the patients. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FIN...

Background: Constitutional chromosome abnormalities are among the major contributors to the genetic causes of reproductive disorders. Despite all of worldwide efforts have been made so far, the prognosis for mosaic X chromosome aberration below 30% of unemployed has yet to be established. The purpose of this study was to assess the quantity and quiddity of chromosomal aberrations that may negat...