[How a metabolic hormone, FGF21 (fibroblast growth factor 21) impacts reproduction]
Guillaume Bourdon1, Pascal Froment1, Pierre Henri Ducluzeau2
1INRAe UMR85 Physiologie de la reproduction et des comportements, Centre INRAE Val-de-Loire, 37380 Nouzilly, France.
Abstract:
Obesity or insulin resistance are the major non-infectious diseases that continue to progress worldwide. They promote diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, but also lead to a decrease in fertility in both sexes. FGF21, discovered in the 2000s, is a hormone closely linked to the energy status and has the ability to decrease insulin resistance. Its action through the FGFR1c, 3c & 4 receptors modulates tissues involved in energy-related metabolism but also the brain and the gonads. Recent data favor a role of FGF21 in female and male fertility, but raise the question about the role of FGF21 on reproductive function. In this review, we have scanned the different FGF21 actions on the reproductive axis, suggesting a potential therapeutic role in case of infertility.
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