The role of the pentose phosphate pathway on reproductive functions

José Victor Braga1,2, Janine de Camargo3, Mariana Marques4

  • 1Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução Animal - FIBRA, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.

Animal Reproduction
|October 20, 2025
PubMed

Related Concept Videos

Other Glycolytic Pathways01:24

Other Glycolytic Pathways

The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) operates in parallel with glycolysis, facilitating the metabolism of both pentoses and glucose. This pathway consists of two distinct phases: the oxidative and non-oxidative phases. While it does not directly generate ATP, the intermediates formed during the process can integrate into glycolysis, contributing to cellular energy metabolism when required.Oxidative Phase: NADPH ProductionThe oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway is primarily...
813
Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids01:28

Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acid biosynthesis is a fundamental biochemical process that produces the purine and pyrimidine nucleotides essential for DNA and RNA synthesis. This pathway maintains a balanced nucleotide pool, preventing imbalances that could jeopardize genetic integrity and cellular function. Given the crucial role of nucleotides, their synthesis is tightly regulated to ensure proper cellular homeostasis.Purine BiosynthesisThe biosynthesis of purine nucleotides begins with ribose-5-phosphate, a...
963
Glycolysis01:23

Glycolysis

Glycolysis, the Embden-Meyerhof pathway, is a central metabolic pathway involved in glucose catabolism. It is highly conserved across most organisms, reflecting its fundamental role in cellular energy production. This process occurs in the cytoplasm and can function both in the presence and absence of oxygen, making it versatile for various organisms and environmental conditions.Stages of GlycolysisGlycolysis is a ten-step pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, generating a net gain of...
1.5K
Gonadal and Placental Hormones01:24

Gonadal and Placental Hormones

The gonads, namely the testes in males and the ovaries in females, are pivotal in producing gonadal hormones that orchestrate the intricate processes of sexual development and reproduction.
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair...
2.7K
Glycolysis: Preparatory Phase01:21

Glycolysis: Preparatory Phase

In cellular metabolism (the complete breakdown of glucose to extract energy),  glycolysis is the first step. Glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Glucose enters heterotrophic cells in two ways. One method is through secondary active transport, where the transport takes place against the glucose concentration gradient. The other mechanism uses a group of integral proteins called GLUT proteins, also known as glucose transporter proteins. These...
16.4K
Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
121.7K