Reproductive aging: biological pathways and potential interventive strategies

Reproductive aging is a natural process conserved across species and is well-known in females. It shows age-related follicle depletion and reduction of oocyte quality, eventually causing reproductive senescence and menopause. Although reproductive aging in males is not well noticed as in females, it also causes infertility and has deleterious consequences on the offspring. Various factors have been suggested to contribute to reproductive aging, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial defects, telomere shortening, meiotic chromosome segregation errors and genetic alterations. With the increasing trend of pregnancy age, it is particularly crucial to find interventions to preserve or extend human fertility. Studies in humans and model organisms have provided insights into the biological pathways associated with reproductive aging, and a series of potential interventive strategies have been tested. Here, we review factors affecting reproductive aging in females and males and summarize interventive strategies that may help delay or rescue the aging phenotypes of reproduction.Copyright (c) 2022, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Genetics Society of China. Published by Elsevier Limited and Science Press. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Reproductive aging is a natural process that occurs in both females and males, leading to fertility decline and detrimental effects on offspring. Factors such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial defects, telomere shortening, chromosome segregation errors, and genetic alterations contribute to reproductive aging. Understanding the biological pathways and implementing interventive strategies can help delay or rescue the aging phenotypes of reproduction.