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Zhang A, Li S, Huang L, Jiang Y, Chen Y, Zhu S, Xiong F, Luo Z, Ou M, Ying J, Wang S, Mu D, Qu Y. Bmal1 regulates female reproduction in mice via the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23744. [PMID: 38885031 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400391r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) is the key neuroendocrine axis involved in reproductive regulation. Brain and muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (Bmal1) participates in regulating the metabolism of various endocrine hormones. However, the regulation of Bmal1 on HPG and female fertility is unclear. This study aims to explore the regulation of female reproduction by Bmal1 via the HPG axis in mice. Bmal1-knockout (Ko) mice were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The structure, function, and estrous cycle of ovarian in Bmal1 Ko female mice were measured. The key genes and proteins of the HPG axis involved in regulating female reproduction were examined through transcriptome analysis and then verified by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blot. Furthermore, the fertility of female mice was detected after intervening prolactin (PRL) and progesterone (Pg) in Bmal1 ko mice. The number of offspring and ovarian weight were significantly lower in Bmal1-Ko mice than in wild-type (Wt) mice. In Bmal1-Ko mice, ovarian cells were arranged loosely and irregularly, and the total number of follicles was significantly reduced. No corpus luteum was found in the ovaries. Vaginal smears revealed that Bmal1-Ko mice had an irregular estrus cycle. In Bmal1-Ko mice, Star expression was decreased, PRL and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were increased, and dopamine (DA) and Pg levels were decreased. Inhibition of PRL partially recovered the estrous cycle, corpus luteum formation, and Star expression in the ovaries. Pg supplementation promoted embryo implantation in Bmal1-Ko female mice. Bmal1 Ko increases serum PRL levels in female mice likely by reducing DA levels, thus affecting luteal formation, resulting in decreased Star expression and Pg production, hindering female reproduction. Inhibition of PRL or restoration of Pg can partially restore reproductive capacity in female Bmal1-Ko mice. Thus, Bmal1 may regulate female reproduction via the HPG axis in mice, suggesting that Bmal1 is a potential target to treat female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayuan Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pediatric Genetic Metabolism Endocrinology, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Shiping Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lingyi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Orthodontics, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yin Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuyao Zhu
- Department of Pediatric Genetic Metabolism Endocrinology, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Fu Xiong
- Department of Pediatric Genetic Metabolism Endocrinology, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Zemin Luo
- Department of Pediatric Genetic Metabolism Endocrinology, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingcai Ou
- Department of Pediatric Genetic Metabolism Endocrinology, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Junjie Ying
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shaopu Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dezhi Mu
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Qu
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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2
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Li F, Guo L, Zhou M, Han L, Wu S, Wu L, Yang J. Cryptochrome 2 Suppresses Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Promoting Trophoblastic Ferroptosis in Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:1197-1217. [PMID: 38537935 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2024.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) is a serious reproductive issue that affects women of childbearing age. Studies have shown a close association between disrupted circadian rhythm and impaired epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in trophoblasts during URSA, although the underlying mechanism is not known. The current study investigated the regulatory relationship between circadian rhythm gene cryptochrome 2 (CRY2) and ferroptosis on the migratory ability of trophoblast cells. Cell proliferation experiments, wound-healing assays, and expression of related markers were conducted to study EMT. Trophoblastic ferroptosis was confirmed by the expressions of malondialdehyde, glutathione, mitochondrial membrane potential, divalent iron ions, and related genes. The results showed significant increased expression of CRY2 and decreased expression of brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein 1 (BMAL1) in the URSA villous tissues, accompanied by iron-dependent oxidative changes and abnormal expression of ferroptosis-related proteins. CRY2 and BMAL1 were co-localized and functioned as a feedback loop, which regulated the dynamic changes of EMT-related markers in trophoblast cells. CRY2 promoted trophoblastic ferroptosis, whereas BMAL1 had the opposite effect. Particularly, the ferroptosis inhibitor (ferrostatin-1) effectively reversed the trophoblastic ferroptosis and EMT inhibition caused by CRY2 overexpression. Collectively, these results suggest that CRY2 regulates trophoblastic ferroptosis and hinders cellular EMT and migratory ability by suppressing BMAL1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faminzi Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University and Hubei Clinical Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
| | - Liantao Guo
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengqi Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University and Hubei Clinical Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Han
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University and Hubei Clinical Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
| | - Shujuan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University and Hubei Clinical Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
| | - Lianzhi Wu
- Department of Obstetrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jing Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University and Hubei Clinical Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China.
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3
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Nkechika V, Zhang N, Belsham DD. The Involvement of the microRNAs miR-466c and miR-340 in the Palmitate-Mediated Dysregulation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Gene Expression. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:397. [PMID: 38674332 PMCID: PMC11048885 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Diets high in saturated fatty acids are associated with obesity and infertility. Palmitate, the most prevalent circulating saturated fatty acid, is sensed by hypothalamic neurons, contributing to homeostatic dysregulation. Notably, palmitate elevates the mRNA levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gnrh) mRNA and its activating transcription factor, GATA binding protein 4 (Gata4). GATA4 is essential for basal Gnrh expression by binding to its enhancer region, with Oct-1 (Oct1) and CEBP-β (Cebpb) playing regulatory roles. The pre- and post-transcriptional control of Gnrh by palmitate have not been investigated. Given the ability of palmitate to alter microRNAs (miRNAs), we hypothesized that palmitate-mediated dysregulation of Gnrh mRNA involves specific miRNAs. In the mHypoA-GnRH/GFP neurons, palmitate significantly downregulated six miRNAs (miR-125a, miR-181b, miR-340, miR-351, miR-466c and miR-503), and the repression was attenuated by co-treatment with 100 μM of oleate. Subsequent mimic transfections revealed that miR-466c significantly downregulates Gnrh, Gata4, and Chop mRNA and increases Per2, whereas miR-340 upregulates Gnrh, Gata4, Oct1, Cebpb, and Per2 mRNA. Our findings suggest that palmitate may indirectly regulate Gnrh at both the pre- and post-transcriptional levels by altering miR-466c and miR-340, which in turn regulate transcription factor expression levels. In summary, palmitate-mediated dysregulation of Gnrh and, consequently, reproductive function involves parallel transcriptional mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Nkechika
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (V.N.); (N.Z.)
| | - Ningtong Zhang
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (V.N.); (N.Z.)
| | - Denise D. Belsham
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (V.N.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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Moškon M, Kovač U, Raspor Dall'Olio L, Geršak K, Kavšek G, Bojc Šmid E, Trojner Bregar A, Rozman D. Circadian characteristics of term and preterm labors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4033. [PMID: 38369585 PMCID: PMC10874972 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54490-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The labor is a physiological event considered to have its own circadian (diurnal) rhythm, but some of the data remain conflicting, especially for preterm births. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the circadian trends of labor onset times in the Slovenian birth cohort from 1990 to 2018 with over 550,000 cases of singleton births. The number of term and preterm labor onsets was calculated for each hour in a day and circadian trends were evaluated for each of the study groups by modeling with a generalized Poisson distribution linked with the cosinor regression model using logarithmic link function. The induced labors were taken as the control group since the timing of labor depends mostly on the working schedule of personnel and not on the intrinsic rhythmic characteristics. For induced labors, the main peak in the number of labor cases was observed in the late morning hours (around 10 AM) for all gestational ages. The prominence of this peak becomes smaller in spontaneous premature labors with gradually disrupting rhythmicity in very preterm and extremely preterm cases. Labors starting with spontaneous contractions peak between 6 and 7 AM and lose the rhythmicity at 35 weeks of gestation while labors starting with a spontaneous rupture of membranes peak at 1 AM and lose the rhythmicity at 31 weeks of gestation, suggesting differences in underlying mechanisms. According to our knowledge, this is the first study that shows differences of circadian trends between different types of spontaneous labors, i.e., labors initiated with contraction and labors initiated with a spontaneous rupture of membranes. Moreover, the obtained results represent evidence of gradual disruption of rhythmicity from mild to extreme prematurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miha Moškon
- Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urša Kovač
- Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lucija Raspor Dall'Olio
- Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ksenija Geršak
- Research Unit, Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gorazd Kavšek
- Research Unit, Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Eva Bojc Šmid
- Research Unit, Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andreja Trojner Bregar
- Research Unit, Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Damjana Rozman
- Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Wang R, Lv X, Xu W, Li X, Tang X, Huang H, Yang M, Ma S, Wang N, Niu Y. Effects of the periodic fasting-mimicking diet on health, lifespan, and multiple diseases: a narrative review and clinical implications. Nutr Rev 2024:nuae003. [PMID: 38287649 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuae003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Dietary restriction and fasting have been recognized for their beneficial effects on health and lifespan and their potential application in managing chronic metabolic diseases. However, long-term adherence to strict dietary restrictions and prolonged fasting poses challenges for most individuals and may lead to unhealthy rebound eating habits, negatively affecting overall health. As a result, a periodic fasting-mimicking diet (PFMD), involving cycles of fasting for 2 or more days while ensuring basic nutritional needs are met within a restricted caloric intake, has gained widespread acceptance. Current research indicates that a PFMD can promote stem cell regeneration, suppress inflammation, extend the health span of rodents, and improve metabolic health, among other effects. In various disease populations such as patients with diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease, a PFMD has shown efficacy in alleviating disease symptoms and improving relevant markers. After conducting an extensive analysis of available research on the PFMD, it is evident that its advantages and potential applications are comparable to other fasting methods. Consequently, it is proposed in this review that a PFMD has the potential to fully replace water-only or very-low-energy fasting regimens and holds promise for application across multiple diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruohua Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xinyi Lv
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Wenyu Xu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xiaoqing Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xuanfeng Tang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - He Huang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Mengxia Yang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shuran Ma
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yucun Niu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
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Peliciari-Garcia RA, de Barros CF, Secio-Silva A, de Barros Peruchetti D, Romano RM, Bargi-Souza P. Multi-omics Investigations in Endocrine Systems and Their Clinical Implications. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1443:187-209. [PMID: 38409422 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-50624-6_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Innovative techniques such as the "omics" can be a powerful tool for the understanding of intracellular pathways involved in homeostasis maintenance and identification of new potential therapeutic targets against endocrine-metabolic disorders. Over the last decades, proteomics has been extensively applied in the study of a wide variety of human diseases, including those involving the endocrine system. Among the most endocrine-related disorders investigated by proteomics in humans are diabetes mellitus and thyroid, pituitary, and reproductive system disorders. In diabetes, proteins implicated in insulin signaling, glucose metabolism, and β-cell activity have been investigated. In thyroid diseases, protein expression alterations were described in thyroid malignancies and autoimmune thyroid illnesses. Additionally, proteomics has been used to investigate the variations in protein expression in adrenal cancers and conditions, including Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease. Pituitary tumors and disorders including acromegaly and hypopituitarism have been studied using proteomics to examine changes in protein expression. Reproductive problems such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis are two examples of conditions where alterations in protein expression have been studied using proteomics. Proteomics has, in general, shed light on the molecular underpinnings of many endocrine-related illnesses and revealed promising biomarkers for both their detection and treatment. The capacity of proteomics to thoroughly and objectively examine complex protein mixtures is one of its main benefits. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a widely used method that identifies and measures proteins based on their mass-to-charge ratio and their fragmentation pattern. MS can perform the separation of proteins according to their physicochemical characteristics, such as hydrophobicity, charge, and size, in combination with liquid chromatography. Other proteomics techniques include protein arrays, which enable the simultaneous identification of several proteins in a single assay, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), which divides proteins depending on their isoelectric point and molecular weight. This chapter aims to summarize the most relevant proteomics data from targeted tissues, as well as the daily rhythmic variation of relevant biomarkers in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions within the involved endocrine system, especially because the actual modern lifestyle constantly imposes a chronic unentrained condition, which virtually affects all the circadian clock systems within human's body, being also correlated with innumerous endocrine-metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Antonio Peliciari-Garcia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Morphophysiology and Pathology Sector, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema, SP, Brazil.
| | - Carolina Fonseca de Barros
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ayla Secio-Silva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Diogo de Barros Peruchetti
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Renata Marino Romano
- Department of Medicine, State University of Central-West (UNICENTRO), Guarapuava, Parana, Brazil
| | - Paula Bargi-Souza
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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7
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Circle(s) of Life: The Circadian Clock from Birth to Death. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12030383. [PMID: 36979075 PMCID: PMC10045474 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Most lifeforms on earth use endogenous, so-called circadian clocks to adapt to 24-h cycles in environmental demands driven by the planet’s rotation around its axis. Interactions with the environment change over the course of a lifetime, and so does regulation of the circadian clock system. In this review, we summarize how circadian clocks develop in humans and experimental rodents during embryonic development, how they mature after birth and what changes occur during puberty, adolescence and with increasing age. Special emphasis is laid on the circadian regulation of reproductive systems as major organizers of life segments and life span. We discuss differences in sexes and outline potential areas for future research. Finally, potential options for medical applications of lifespan chronobiology are discussed.
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