title: Current understanding of ovarian aging.
abstract: The reproductive system of human female exhibits a much faster rate of aging than other body systems. Ovarian aging is thought to be dominated by a gradual decreasing numbers of follicles, coinciding with diminished quality of oocytes. Menopause is the final step in the process of ovarian aging. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying the ovarian aging involving a poor complement of follicles at birth and a high rate of attrition each month, as well as the alternated endocrine factors. We also discuss the possible causative factors that contribute to ovarian aging, e.g., genetic factors, accumulation of irreparable damage of microenvironment, pathological effect and other factors. The appropriate and reliable methods to assess ovarian aging, such as quantification of follicles, endocrine measurement and genetic testing have also been discussed. Increased knowledge of the ovarian aging mechanisms may improve the prevention of premature ovarian failure.
authors.affiliation: Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: XiaoDan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: QingHua
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009154:Mutation; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced; D019098:Telomerase