Aging of Reproductive Systems- A Review Article
Journal Title: Interventions in Gynaecology and Women’s Healthcare - Year 2018, Vol 1, Issue 4
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. Aging is defined as a gradual, irreversible and complex process in which cells, tissues, organs, and the whole organism progressively deteriorate [1]. Aging is accompanied by major biochemical and biomechanical changes at both macroscopic and microscopic levels that affect tissues and organs as well as cells and their organelles [2]. Although all multicellular organisms undergo structural and functional deterioration with age, senescence is not a uniform process [3]. Aging is mentioned to start at the age of 30-40 years, leading to progressive organ dysfunction which makes keeping homeostasis more difficult. However, body changes previously thought to be due to aging are often proved to be due to pathologies when new features are discovered [4]. The causes of aging are not fully elucidated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial theories seem to be the two most evident theories of aging [5]. Aging results in damage of cellular DNA, proteins, membranes, and organelles, as well as accumulation of high molecular weight insoluble aggregates. It has been noted that failure of cellular maintenance and repair is irreversible, although longevity may be modulated through dietary restriction [6]. The somatic mutation theory of aging assumes that accumulation of mutations in the genetic material of somatic cells results in inactivation of genes and decreased cellular function of various organs. When the organ function decreases below a critical threshold, death of the organism occurs [7].
Authors and Affiliations
Heshmat SW Haroun
Keywords
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- EP ID EP570044
- DOI 10.32474/IGWHC.2018.01.000117
- Views 70
- Downloads 0
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