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Reproduction, Fertility and Development Reproduction, Fertility and Development Society
Vertebrate reproductive science and technology

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This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Selected plant extracts and female fertility: role in the regulation of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Ovarian axis in normal and pathological conditions

Wijden Niama, Samia Ben Said, Christelle Rame, Pascal Froment 0000-0002-7388-9598, Mokhtar Mahouachi, joelle dupont 0000-0002-8046-7705

Abstract

Female infertility, which affects 10%–20% of couples worldwide, is a growing health concern in developing countries. It can be caused by multiple factors, including reproductive disorders, hormonal dysfunctions, congenital malformations and infections. In vitro and in vivo studies show that plant extracts regulate GnRH, kisspeptin, and gonadotropin expression and/or secretion at the hypothalamic-pituitary level and modulate somatic and germ cells, such as steroidogenesis, proliferation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress at the ovarian level. In the review, we report evidence for the role of certain plant extracts or plant bioactive compounds in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary- ovary axis and consequently for the treatment of female infertility. We will also summarize their possible involvement in ovarian disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure (POF) and ovarian cancers.

RD24120  Accepted 24 December 2024

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