Supplemental Nicotinic Acid Elevates NAD+ Precursors in the Follicular Fluid of Mares

Supplementation with NAD+ and its precursors: A rescue of female reproductive diseases

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential coenzyme involved in many pathophysiological processes. Supplementation with NAD+ and its precursors has been demonstrated as an emerging therapeutic strategy for the diseases. NAD+ also plays an important role in the reproductive system. Here, we summarize the function of NAD+ in various reproductive diseases and review the application of NAD+ and its precursors in the preservation of reproductive capacity and the prevention of embryonic malformations. It is shown that NAD+ shows good promise as a therapeutic approach for saving reproductive capacity.

Can Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) and Sirtuins Be Harnessed to Improve Mare Fertility?

Years of sire and dam selection based on their pedigree and athletic performance has resulted in a reduction in the reproductive capability of horses. Mare age is considered a major barrier to equine reproduction largely due to an increase in the age at which mares are typically bred following the end of their racing career. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and its involvement in the activation of Sirtuins in fertility are an emerging field of study, with the role of NAD+ in oocyte maturation and embryo development becoming increasingly apparent. While assisted reproductive technologies in equine breeding programs are in their infancy compared to other livestock species such as cattle, there is much more to be learnt, from oocyte maturation to early embryo development and beyond in the mare, which are difficult to study given the complexities associated with mare fertility research. This review examines what is already known about the role of NAD+ and Sirtuins in fertility and discusses how NAD+-elevating agents may be used to activate Sirtuin proteins to improve equine breeding and embryo production programs both in vivo and in vitro.

Ovarian rescue in women with premature ovarian insufficiency: facts and fiction

The ovary has a comparatively short functional lifespan compared with other organs, and genetic and pathological injuries can further shorten its functional life. Thus, preserving ovarian function should be considered in the context of women with threats to ovarian reserve, such as ageing, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Indeed, one-third of women with POI retain resting follicles that can be reactivated to produce competent oocytes, as proved by the in-vitro activation of dormant follicles. This paper discusses mechanisms and clinical data relating to new therapeutic strategies using ovarian fragmentation, stem cells or platelet-rich plasma to regain ovarian function in women of older age (>38 years) or with POI or DOR. Follicle reactivation techniques show promising experimental outcomes and have been successful in some cases, when POI is established or DOR diagnosed; however, there is scarce clinical evidence to warrant their widespread clinical use. Beyond these contexts, also discussed is how new insights into the biological mechanisms governing follicular dynamics and oocyte competence may play a role in reversing ovarian damage, as no technique modifies oocyte quality. Additional studies should focus on increasing follicle number and quality. Finally, there is a small but important subgroup of women lacking residual follicles and requiring oocyte generation from stem cells.

Beyond Pellagra-Research Models and Strategies Addressing the Enduring Clinical Relevance of NAD Deficiency in Aging and Disease

Research into the functions of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) has intensified in recent years due to the insight that abnormally low levels of NAD are involved in many human pathologies including metabolic disorders, neurodegeneration, reproductive dysfunction, cancer, and aging. Consequently, the development and validation of novel NAD-boosting strategies has been of central interest, along with the development of models that accurately represent the complexity of human NAD dynamics and deficiency levels. In this review, we discuss pioneering research and show how modern researchers have long since moved past believing that pellagra is the overt and most dramatic clinical presentation of NAD deficiency. The current research is centered on common human health conditions associated with moderate, but clinically relevant, NAD deficiency. In vitro and in vivo research models that have been developed specifically to study NAD deficiency are reviewed here, along with emerging strategies to increase the intracellular NAD concentrations.

Intrafollicular fluid metabolic abnormalities in relation to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: Follicular fluid metabolomics via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

INTRODUCTION

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is the most serious iatrogenic complication of ovulation stimulation during assisted reproductive technology. The main objective of this study was to investigate intrafollicular fluid metabolic change profiles of OHSS in non-ovarian etiologic infertility women (CON) and polycystic ovarian syndrome patients (PCOS).

METHODS

87 infertile women were divided into four subgroups: CON-Norm (CON with normal ovarian response), CON-OHSS (CON with OHSS), PCOS-Norm (PCOS with normal ovarian response), and PCOS-OHSS (PCOS with OHSS). The intrafollicular fluid metabolic profiles were analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression was applied to assess the association of metabolites with OHSS risk.

RESULTS

We identified 17 and 3 metabolites that related to OHSS risk in CON and PCOS, respectively. 13 OHSS risk-related metabolites in CON were unsaturated fatty acids, 8 of which were also the significantly altered metabolites between all PCOS and CON-Norm.

CONCLUSION

Our study may shed light on the role of intrafollicular fluid metabolic abnormalities in the pathophysiology of OHSS. The findings suggested that there might be some metabolic heterogeneities underlying the development of OHSS in CON and PCOS women and indicated possible shared etiological factors in the development of PCOS and OHSS.