Ovarian Cell Function Modulation and Environmental Influences
Summary
The ovary is a highly regulated organ whose somatic cells, notably granulosa and theca cells, orchestrate folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis and oocyte maturation. Intracellular signalling networks—including the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, SIRT1/AMPK and Nrf2 pathways—govern cell proliferation, differentiation, autophagy and apoptosis. Environmental factors such as heat stress, dietary phytoestrogens, pesticides and industrial contaminants can perturb these pathways by elevating reactive oxygen species and triggering oxidative stress. Such perturbations alter hormone synthesis, follicle growth and corpus luteum function, with consequences ranging from subfertility in livestock to impaired human ovarian reserve. Advances in in vitro granulosa‐cell culture, transcriptomics and in vivo exposure models have elucidated how exogenous agents modulate cell survival, autophagic flux and apoptotic cascades. These insights inform strategies to protect ovarian health, optimise reproductive performance in agriculture and refine guidelines on environmental exposures. Understanding the interplay between environmental stressors and ovarian cell function has global importance for fertility management, conservation of endangered species and public health policy.
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Ovarian Cell Function Modulation and Environmental Influences publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in ovarian cell function modulation and environmental influences across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Granulosa cell: Somatic ovarian cell that supports the oocyte and produces steroid hormones.
Oxidative stress: Imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant defence.
Autophagy: Cellular process of degrading and recycling cytoplasmic components via lysosomes.
Apoptosis: Programmed cell death involving caspase activation and DNA fragmentation.
Steroidogenesis: Biosynthesis of steroid hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules derived from oxygen that can damage cellular structures.
References
- Allethrin Promotes Apoptosis and Autophagy Associated with the Oxidative Stress-Related PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Developing Rat Ovaries. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2022).
- Adaptive and Biological Responses of Buffalo Granulosa Cells Exposed to Heat Stress under In Vitro Condition. Animals (2021).
- Effects of benzene, quercetin, and their combination on porcine ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, and hormone release. Archives Animal Breeding (2019).
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