A recent study by scientists at the Research Center in Reproduction and Fertility of Université de Montréal‘s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has shed light on a crucial factor affecting female fertility. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights the role of the orphan nuclear receptor Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) in the formation of the ovarian reserve—the pool of primordial oocytes and supporting cells responsible for a woman’s lifetime fertility.

Infertility affects a significant portion of the global population, with 12% to 15% of couples in developed countries and at least 25% in underdeveloped ones facing reproductive challenges. For about 40% of these cases, ovarian dysfunction is to blame, making it a significant concern for women’s health.

To study the formation of the ovarian reserve, the researchers used a genetically modified mouse model in which SF-1 was depleted in prenatal ovaries. The striking results showed a drastic reduction in follicles in the ovarian reserve. Moreover, the loss of SF-1 led to premature aging-related infertility in the mouse model.

The study’s lead author, veterinary biomedical professor Bruce D. Murphy, emphasized the significance of these findings for understanding infertility and menopause in women. SF-1 could serve as a target for therapeutic interventions, helping physicians identify and reverse factors contributing to their patients’ infertility.

This groundbreaking research provides a crucial foundation for future investigations into premature ovarian insufficiency and menopause. By uncovering the essential role of SF-1 in forming the ovarian reserve, the study opens new avenues for addressing infertility issues and improving women’s reproductive health.

References

• Hughes, C. H. K., Smith, O. E., Meinsohn, M.-C., Brunelle, M., Gévry, N., & Murphy, B. D. (2023). Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1; Nr5a1 ) regulates the formation of the ovarian reserve. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(32), e2220849120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2220849120
• University of Montreal. (2023, August 3). Veterinary scientists find decrease in protein may contribute to infertility in women. Phys.Org. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-veterinary-scientists-decrease-protein-contribute.html