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Glucose can reverse the effects of acute fasting on mouse ovulation and oocyte maturation

Jun Yan1, Bo Zhou, Jie Yang

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China.

Reproduction, Fertility, and Development
|August 2, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Acute food deprivation suppresses ovulation by impairing oocyte development. Maintaining adequate serum glucose levels is crucial for normal ovulation and oocyte maturation during fasting.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Research

Background:

  • Food deprivation is known to suppress ovulation.
  • The precise role of energy metabolism and specific nutrients in oocyte development during fasting remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the nutritional element responsible for fasting-induced ovulation suppression in mice.
  • To investigate the impact of fasting on oocyte development and maturation.

Main Methods:

  • Mice were subjected to varying durations of food deprivation.
  • Ovulation was assessed, and oocyte maturation was evaluated in vitro following follicle-stimulating hormone stimulation.
  • Serum glucose, progesterone, and oestradiol levels were measured.
  • Follicle development and glucose consumption by cumulus-oocyte complexes were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • 64 hours of food deprivation completely blocked ovulation, which was reversed by feeding glucose, oil, or short-term feeding, all elevating serum glucose.
  • 48 hours of food deprivation inhibited oocyte maturation, but glucose refeeding restored it.
  • Fasting altered hormone levels (increased progesterone, decreased oestradiol), impaired follicle development, caused oocyte death, and reduced glucose uptake by oocytes.

Conclusions:

  • Fasting-induced ovulation suppression is linked to the regulation of oocyte development.
  • Maintaining sufficient serum glucose concentrations is essential for normal ovulation and oocyte quality during periods of acute food deprivation.

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