Metabolic syndrome and oocyte quality

Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Mar;22(3):103-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2010.12.002. Epub 2011 Feb 1.

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome affects one in four women in the USA, and the incidence is rising every year. Metabolic syndrome is strongly associated with development of coronary artery disease and diabetes. Women of reproductive age are not spared from the complications of metabolic syndrome, which overlaps with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), both of which are linked to infertility and poor reproductive outcome. Therefore, the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and reproductive dysfunction is an active area of study. In this review, we discuss the animal and human data available to determine if the abnormality is at the level of the ovary and/or endometrium, and discuss the underlying mechanisms causing the associated poor reproductive outcomes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anovulation / etiology
  • Body Mass Index
  • Embryo Implantation
  • Endometrium / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Fetal Development
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / etiology
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / complications
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Oocytes / physiology*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / complications
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted