Research Progress on Ferroptosis Regulation of Female Reproduction

Ferroptosis is a form of iron-regulated cell death that plays a critical role in various aspects of female reproductive system development. These processes include the normal estrous cycle, ovarian formation, follicular maturation, ovulation, and pregnancy, all of which are essential for maintaining reproductive health in female animals. However, excessive iron leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species within cells, disrupting intracellular redox balance, inducing mitophagy, membrane rupture, and lipid peroxidation, which can damage tissues and cells, ultimately resulting in ferroptosis. An increasing body of research indicates that ferroptosis is associated with the development of several reproductive disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure, and spontaneous abortion, among others. Simultaneously, ferroptosis-related pathways and genes also regulate the growth and secretion of granulosa cells, impacting oocyte development, ovarian reserve, early embryo development, and oxidative stress in the placenta, all of which significantly limit the reproductive capacity of female animals. This review summarizes the mechanisms of ferroptosis and its impact on female reproduction, offering new insights on the prevention and treatment of reproductive diseases in females. In this paper, the effects of ferroptosis on reproductive ability were studied from the perspective of germ cells, which provided a new perspective for preventing and improving female reproductive ability from the perspective of ferroptosis.