Demographic and evolutionary trends in ovarian function and aging

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology and evolutionary medicine.
• Integrates molecular, demographic, and evolutionary perspectives on female reproductive lifespan.

Background:

• Female reproductive lifespan is regulated by ovarian function dynamics.
• Factors influencing ovarian reserve include molecular mechanisms, environment, and lifestyle.
• Demographic and evolutionary trends also shape reproductive lifespan, with senescence preceding somatic aging in humans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review reproductive medicine by integrating molecular mechanisms of ovarian function and aging with demographic and evolutionary trends.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of factors influencing female reproductive lifespan.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review approach was employed.
• Searches were conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords like 'menopause,' 'folliculogenesis,' 'reproductive aging,' 'reproductive lifespan,' and 'life history theory.'
• Reviewed articles and their references were limited to English-language publications.

Main Results:

• Summarizes genomic studies on female reproductive aging, discussing their constraints, advantages, and evolutionary significance.
• Examines environmental, lifestyle, and demographic factors within evolutionary hypotheses for menopause.
• Highlights the rapid generation of new data, raising more questions than answers.

Conclusions:

• Recent data offer tools to explore human evolutionary reproductive history.
• Findings provide novel grounds for patient counseling and family planning strategies.
• Further research is needed to interpret findings within human life history theory.