Adipokine Regulation in Reproductive Health
Summary
Adipokines are hormones secreted by adipose tissue that serve as molecular links between energy balance and reproductive function. Key adipokines—including leptin, adiponectin, chemerin, resistin and visfatin—act centrally on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis to modulate gonadotropin‐releasing hormone secretion, and peripherally on ovarian, testicular and placental tissues to regulate steroidogenesis, gametogenesis and trophoblast invasion. Fluctuations in adipokine levels reflect nutritional status and exert direct effects on follicle maturation, corpus luteum function and endometrial receptivity. Dysregulation of adipokine signalling has been implicated in disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and subfertility associated with obesity. Recent insights into adipokine receptor isoforms, post-translational modifications and cross-talk with metabolic kinases underscore their complexity and reveal novel targets for therapeutic intervention in metabolic infertility.
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Adipokine Regulation in Reproductive Health publication trend
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Technical terms
Adipokine: Bioactive peptide secreted by adipose tissue that regulates energy homeostasis and reproductive functions.
Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis: Integrated hormonal network linking the brain to the gonads, controlling sexual development and fertility.
AdipoR1/AdipoR2: Cell-surface receptors for adiponectin that mediate downstream signalling in metabolic and reproductive tissues.
AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase, a key energy sensor that regulates cellular metabolism and hormone responsiveness.
Steroidogenesis: Enzymatic pathway within ovarian or testicular cells that produces steroid hormones such as progesterone and oestrogens.
References
- APN Expression in Serum and Corpus Luteum: Regulation of Luteal Steroidogenesis Is Possibly Dependent on the AdipoR2/AMPK Pathway in Goats. Cells (2023).
- Metabolic hormones are integral regulators of female reproductive health and function. Bioscience Reports (2024).
- Involvement of Novel Adipokines, Chemerin, Visfatin, Resistin and Apelin in Reproductive Functions in Normal and Pathological Conditions in Humans and Animal Models. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2019).
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