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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence
06:51

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence

Published on: May 1, 2017

The oocyte-enriched metabolite serotonin alleviates cellular senescence and aging phenotypes in the mouse

Yuyan Xu1, Ling Zhang2,3, Xufeng Liao1

  • 1Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, and Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.

The EMBO Journal
|June 16, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Oocyte-enriched metabolites, like serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), protect against aging. This study reveals serotonin

Area of Science:

  • Metabolomics
  • Developmental Biology
  • Aging Research

Background:

  • The role of early developmental metabolites in aging is unknown.
  • Metabolic profiles of oocytes and early embryos require detailed investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To profile the metabolic landscape of mouse oocytes and cleavage-stage embryos.
  • To identify key metabolites influencing aging processes.
  • To elucidate the anti-aging mechanisms of oocyte-enriched metabolites.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive metabolic profiling of mouse oocytes and embryos.
  • Analysis of metabolite changes post-fertilization.
  • Investigation of serotonin signaling pathways (canonical and non-canonical).

Main Results:

  • Oocytes accumulate reductive metabolites that decrease after fertilization.
  • Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is enriched in oocytes and exhibits protective effects against aging.
  • Serotonin modulates mitochondrial function via 5HTR1B and reduces endoplasmic reticulum stress through HSP90β serotonylation.

Conclusions:

  • Oocyte-derived metabolites, particularly serotonin, can mitigate aging-related cellular and organismal phenotypes.
  • Serotonin's dual action on mitochondria and ER stress offers novel anti-aging therapeutic potential.
  • This research opens new avenues for developing anti-aging strategies targeting metabolic pathways.

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