Circadian Rhythms Within the Female HPG Axis: From Physiology to Etiology

Overview

Journal Endocrinology

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Endocrinology

Date 2021 Jun 14

PMID 34125877

Citations 17

Authors

Shuyi Shao

Huanqiang Zhao

Zhiying Lu

Xiaohong Lei

Ying Zhang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Declining female fertility has become a global health concern. It results partially from an abnormal circadian clock caused by unhealthy diet and sleep habits in modern life. The circadian clock system is a hierarchical network consisting of central and peripheral clocks. It not only controls the sleep-wake and feeding-fasting cycles but also coordinates and maintains the required reproductive activities in the body. Physiologically, the reproductive processes are governed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in a time-dependent manner. The HPG axis releases hormones, generates female characteristics, and achieves fertility. Conversely, an abnormal daily rhythm caused by aberrant clock genes or abnormal environmental stimuli contributes to disorders of the female reproductive system, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and premature ovarian insufficiency. Therefore, breaking the "time code" of the female reproductive system is crucial. In this paper, we review the interplay between circadian clocks and the female reproductive system and present its regulatory principles, moving from normal physiology regulation to disease etiology.

Citing Articles

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