Aging of Reproductive Systems- A Review Article

Heshmat SW Haroun*

Received: February 27, 2018;   Published: March 06, 2018

DOI: 10.32474/IGWHC.2018.01.000117

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Abstract

Aging is an irreversible, progressive and complex process that is manifested with macroscopic and microscopic changes in tissues, organs and systems. Human aging starts at the age of 30-40 years. The causes of aging remain unclear but reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial damage are the two acceptable theories. Stimulation of autophagy, caloric restriction and physical exercise are supposed to slow down the aging changes. Thyrotropin releasing hormone and melatonin are considered as antiaging factors. Despite the increase in human life-expectancy, the reproductive organs are the earliest to reveal adverse age-related changes. In male aging there are decreased level of serum testosterone, decline in sperm count and quality, and derangement of androgen target organs such as bone, muscle, and psychosexual function. Older father will likely give rise to an offspring with genetic anomaly, childhood cancer, and or neuropsychiatric disorder. Inflammaging in women is an age-dependent low-grade and chronic inflammation that accelerates reproductive dysfunction in the ovaries, uterine tubes and uterus. Experimental researches have revealed increased fibrosis of ovarian stroma in old female animals. Sex hormones- replacement therapy should be cautiously adopted in aging individuals.

Keywords: Aging; Reproductive Organs; Function; Structure

Abbrevations: DHEA: Dehydroepiandrosterone; FSH: Follicle Stimulating Hormone; GH: Growth Hormone; LH: Luteinizing Hormone; MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; PSR: Picrosirius Red; ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species; SHBG: Sex Hormone Binding Globulins; TRH: Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone; TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

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