Biology of ovarian aging

The woman’s reproductive system ages much faster than other systems of the body. Menopause is the last step in the process of ovarian aging. Studies on the biological clock stops more and more often attract the attention of many researchers. This is related to the increase in life expectancy, but also increasingly making decisions about motherhood later on and the increasing number of infertile couples.

Neuroendocrine and uterine factors are contributing to a reduction in fertility with age, the ovary is the main authority responsible for this phenomenon. Aging of the ovary is dominated by a progressive reduction in the number of follicles. And the number and quality of follicle – ovarian reserve – are linked to the age of the woman. Research helpful in the determination of the ovarian reserve involves the measurement of the number of antral follicles during transvaginal ultrasound and blood levels of follicle-stimulating hormone between the 2nd and 4th day of the cycle, inhibin B, estradiol and anti-Müllerian hormone.

A strategy based on the use of stem cells to regenerate the ovary is proposed as future therapies for the treatment of female infertility. In this article, we report factors affecting aging of the ovaries and changes accompanying this phenomenon.