Association and Mechanism of Aged Oocytes Quality and Telomerase

doi:10.12280/gjfckx.20240915

Abstract

Abstract:

Oocyte quality is a crucial determinant in the assessment of fertility, which is closely correlated to age. The quality of oocytes declines in women after 35 years old, accompanied by an accelerated decrease in fertility. Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein complex composed of catalytic protein subunits and RNA components, etc., maintains telomere length and stability, which is associated with the quality of oocytes in aged women. Telomeres can influence the activity of telomerase through the telomere protective protein complex and telomeric repeat sequence RNA. Additionally, aging can cause changes in the activity of telomerase in female oocytes. The effects of altered telomerase activity on the quality of aged oocytes are mainly manifested in three aspects of oocyte meiosis, fertilization, and embryonic development, which involve the regulation of telomere length, mitochondrial and spindle function, maintenance of genomic stability, and expression of anti-aging proteins. The association and mechanism of telomerase with the quality of aged oocytes are summarized in order to provide new ideas for improving female fertility.

Key words: Telomerase, Telomere shortening, Oocytes, Infertility, female, Embryonic development

YUAN Hai-ning, MU Zhen-ni, ZHANG Jiang-lin, LI Heng-bing, ZHANG Yun-jie, SUN Zhen-gao. Association and Mechanism of Aged Oocytes Quality and Telomerase[J]. Journal of International Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2025, 52(1): 57-60.

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