Metabolism and Reproduction

A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Endocrinology and Clinical Metabolic Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2022) | Viewed by 28171

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research, College of Medicine, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
Interests: reproduction and food intake; the hypothalamic control of energy balance; leptin and insulin intracellular signaling; central effects of sex steroids

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

‘Metabolism and Reproductive Success’ covers original research papers and reviews on all aspects of the connections between fertility, growth, energy expenditure, and survival, with a particular focus on infertility linked to metabolic dysfunction. This section covers the trade-offs between fecundity, growth, and longevity faced by organisms, from C. elegans to vertebrates. In addition, it includes human disorders of glucose dysregulation, caloric insufficiency, and obesity that are associated with infertile states. Finally, recent advances in the understanding of the cellular and intracellular mechanisms involved in the infertility of peripheral and central origin are also covered.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Novel hypothalamic mechanisms leading to altered GnRH release and pubertal timing
  • The role of the gut microbiota in the infertility and insulin resistance seen in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
  • Mechanisms of evolutionary, ecological, or selective breeding pressures altering fecundity, lactation, aging, and lifespan across species
  • Investigation and modeling of metabolic rate variations within species and evaluation of the pace-of-life hypothesis
  • The impact of insulin and growth-hormone related signaling on the gonads and reproductive axis

Dr. Jennifer W. Hill
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • metabolic rate
  • infertility
  • puberty
  • reproductive aging
  • hypothalamus
  • energy expenditure
  • obesity
  • diabetes
  • fecundity
  • insulin
  • growth factors
  • longevity
  • gonadal
  • ovary
  • GnRH
  • kisspeptin
  • glucose
  • microbiota
  • pcos
  • breeding
  • ecological pressure
  • pace of life
  • sex hormones

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 689 KiB  
Article
Profile of Bile Acid Metabolomics in the Follicular Fluid of PCOS Patients
by Xiao Yang, Richao Wu, Dan Qi, Linlin Fu, Tian Song, Ying Wang, Yuehong Bian and Yuhua Shi
Metabolites 2021, 11(12), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11120845 - 06 Dec 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2906
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex heterogeneous endocrine disease affected by genetic and environmental factors. In this manuscript, we aimed to describe the composition of bile acid metabolomics in the follicular fluid (FF) of PCOS. The FF was collected from 31 control [...] Read more.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex heterogeneous endocrine disease affected by genetic and environmental factors. In this manuscript, we aimed to describe the composition of bile acid metabolomics in the follicular fluid (FF) of PCOS. The FF was collected from 31 control patients and 35 PCOS patients diagnosed according to the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria. The Bile Acid Assay Kit and ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) were used in this study to detect the total bile acid and 24 bile acid metabolites. Glycocholic acid (GC3A), taurocholic acid (TCA), glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA), and chenodeoxycholic acid-3-β-d-glucuronide (CDCA-3Gln) were elevated in the PCOS group. GCDCA was positively correlated with the serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (r = 0.3787, p = 0.0017) and luteinizing hormone (LH) (r = 0.2670, p = 0.0302). The level of CDCA-3Gln also rose with the increase in antral follicle counts (AFC) (r = 0.3247, p = 0.0078). Compared with the control group, the primary bile acids (p = 0.0207) and conjugated bile acids (p = 0.0283) were elevated in PCOS. For the first time, our study described the changes in bile acid metabolomics in the FF of PCOS patients, suggesting that bile acids may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolism and Reproduction)
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Review

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20 pages, 1540 KiB  
Review
Major Nutritional Metabolic Alterations Influencing the Reproductive System of Postpartum Dairy Cows
by Abdul Sammad, Muhammad Zahoor Khan, Zaheer Abbas, Lirong Hu, Qudrat Ullah, Yajing Wang, Huabin Zhu and Yachun Wang
Metabolites 2022, 12(1), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo12010060 - 10 Jan 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5639
Abstract
Early successful conception of postpartum dairy cows is crucial in determining the optimum reproductive efficiency and profitability in modern dairy farming. Due to the inherent high production potential of modern dairy cows, the extra stress burden of peri-parturient events, and associated endocrine and [...] Read more.
Early successful conception of postpartum dairy cows is crucial in determining the optimum reproductive efficiency and profitability in modern dairy farming. Due to the inherent high production potential of modern dairy cows, the extra stress burden of peri-parturient events, and associated endocrine and metabolic changes causes negative energy balance (NEBAL) in postpartum cows. The occurrence of NEBAL is associated with excessive fat mobilization in the form of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs). The phenomenon of NEFA mobilization furthers with occurrence of ketosis and fatty liver in postpartum dairy cows. High NEFAs and ketones are negatively associated with health and reproductive processes. An additional burden of hypocalcemia, ruminal acidosis, and high protein metabolism in postpartum cows presents further consequences for health and reproductive performance of postpartum dairy cows. This review intends to comprehend these major nutritional metabolic alterations, their mechanisms of influence on the reproduction process, and relevant mitigation strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolism and Reproduction)
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18 pages, 643 KiB  
Review
Metabolic Syndrome and PCOS: Pathogenesis and the Role of Metabolites
by Weixuan Chen and Yanli Pang
Metabolites 2021, 11(12), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11120869 - 14 Dec 2021
Cited by 54 | Viewed by 8006
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine diseases among women of reproductive age and is associated with many metabolic manifestations, such as obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and hyperandrogenism. The underlying pathogenesis of these metabolic symptoms has not yet been [...] Read more.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine diseases among women of reproductive age and is associated with many metabolic manifestations, such as obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and hyperandrogenism. The underlying pathogenesis of these metabolic symptoms has not yet been fully elucidated. With the application of metabolomics techniques, a variety of metabolite changes have been observed in the serum and follicular fluid (FF) of PCOS patients and animal models. Changes in metabolites result from the daily diet and occur during uncommon physiological routines. However, some of these metabolite changes may provide evidence to explain possible mechanisms and new approaches for prevention and therapy. This article reviews the pathogenesis of PCOS metabolic symptoms and the relationship between metabolites and the pathophysiology of PCOS. Furthermore, the potential clinical application of some specific metabolites will be discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolism and Reproduction)
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13 pages, 2132 KiB  
Review
Sperm-Guiding Unconventional Prostaglandins in C. elegans: Synthesis and Signaling
by Ekta Tiwary, Muhan Hu and Jeevan K. Prasain
Metabolites 2021, 11(12), 853; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11120853 - 08 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4169
Abstract
Prostaglandins comprise a family of lipid signaling molecules derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids and are involved in a wide array of biological processes, including fertilization. Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (a.k.a. cyclooxygenase or Cox) initiates prostaglandin synthesis from 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid. [...] Read more.
Prostaglandins comprise a family of lipid signaling molecules derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids and are involved in a wide array of biological processes, including fertilization. Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (a.k.a. cyclooxygenase or Cox) initiates prostaglandin synthesis from 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid. Oocytes of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) have been shown to secrete sperm-guidance cues prostaglandins, independent of Cox enzymes. Both prostaglandin synthesis and signal transduction in C. elegans are environmentally modulated pathways that regulate sperm guidance to the fertilization site. Environmental factors such as food triggers insulin and TGF-β secretion and their levels regulate tissue-specific prostaglandin synthesis in C. elegans. This novel PG pathway is abundant in mouse and human ovarian follicular fluid, where their functions, mechanism of synthesis and pathways remain to be established. Given the importance of prostaglandins in reproductive processes, a better understanding of how diets and other environmental factors influence their synthesis and function may lead to new strategies towards improving fertility in mammals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolism and Reproduction)
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18 pages, 1363 KiB  
Review
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Relationship between Obesity and Male Infertility
by Federica Barbagallo, Rosita A. Condorelli, Laura M. Mongioì, Rossella Cannarella, Laura Cimino, Maria Cristina Magagnini, Andrea Crafa, Sandro La Vignera and Aldo E. Calogero
Metabolites 2021, 11(12), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11120840 - 04 Dec 2021
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 5833
Abstract
In recent decades, the worldwide prevalence of obesity has risen dramatically and is currently estimated to be around 20%. Obesity is linked to an increased risk of comorbidities and premature mortality. Several studies have shown that obesity negatively impacts male fertility through various [...] Read more.
In recent decades, the worldwide prevalence of obesity has risen dramatically and is currently estimated to be around 20%. Obesity is linked to an increased risk of comorbidities and premature mortality. Several studies have shown that obesity negatively impacts male fertility through various mechanisms. This review aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms through which obesity impairs male reproduction, including obesity-associated hypogonadism and its effects on spermatogenesis, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Obesity negatively impacts both conventional and biofunctional sperm parameters, and it also induces epigenetic changes that can be transferred to offspring. Moreover, obesity-related diseases are linked to a dysregulation of adipocyte function and micro-environmental inflammatory processes. The dysregulated adipokines significantly influence insulin signaling, and they may also have a detrimental effect on testicular function. Sirtuins can also play an important role in inflammatory and metabolic responses in obese patients. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that are involved in obesity-induced male infertility could increase our ability to identify novel targets for the prevention and treatment of obesity and its related consequences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolism and Reproduction)
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