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Fetal growth retardation as a cause of impaired ovarian development
J P de Bruin1, M Dorland, H W Bruinse
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Utrecht, Netherlands.
Insights
Low birth weight may impact female fertility due to impaired ovarian development. Intrauterine growth retardation significantly reduces primordial follicle volume, suggesting future fertility issues for low birth weight females.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Developmental biology
- Fetal medicine
Background:
- Low birth weight is linked to later-life health issues, potentially due to impaired organ development.
- Nutrient deprivation in fetal organs, like the kidney, can hinder growth during intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).
- The ovary's proximity to the kidney suggests it may also be affected by IUGR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of IUGR on ovarian development.
- To test the hypothesis that IUGR negatively affects ovarian primordial follicle volume.
- To explore potential links between IUGR, ovarian development, and future female fertility.
Main Methods:
- Placental insufficiency was used as a model for severe IUGR.
- Ovarian tissue from four severely growth-retarded fetuses was compared to four age-matched controls.
- Volume percentages of primordial follicles were quantified and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Growth-retarded fetuses showed significantly lower volume percentages of primordial follicles.
- Ovarian development was demonstrably impaired in fetuses experiencing IUGR.
- A reduction in primordial follicles was observed compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Intrauterine growth retardation impairs ovarian development in fetuses.
- Reduced primordial follicle volume suggests premature loss of ovarian reserve.
- Females born with low birth weight may face fertility challenges later in life due to impaired ovarian development.
Abstract:
Low birthweight has been associated with diseases and disorders later in life. It has been suggested that this is caused by the impaired development of abdominal organs, especially in cases of growth retardation. Besides general malnutrition of the fetus, preferential bloodflow to the heart and brain may further deprive organs, such as liver, pancreas and kidney, of nutrients. As a result these organs may not develop properly. Anatomically, the ovary is situated close to the kidney and it is very likely that, similar to the kidney, ovarian development can be negatively affected by intra-uterine growth retardation. Placental insufficiency, which is an important cause of severe intra-uterine growth retardation, was used as a model to investigate this hypothesis. In the present study, the volume percentages of primordial follicles in the ovaries of four severely growth-retarded fetuses of different gestational ages are compared to those of four age-matched controls. It is found that these volume percentage in growth-retarded fetuses were significantly lower than those observed in the age-matched controls. It can be concluded that ovarian development is impaired in intra-uterine growth-retarded fetuses. These findings further suggest that, as a result of the premature loss of follicles, females with low birthweights may encounter fertility problems later in life.