Impact of telomere length and telomerase activity on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology programs


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Abstract

This review describes the importance of telomeres and telomerase for human reproduction. It considers the impact of concomitant diseases on telomere length in females and males. It also describes telomerase activity and telomere length at different stages of ontogenesis: from spermatogenesis and oogenesis to subsequent embryonic development. There is information from various studies conducted within the framework of ART programs showing the relationship between telomere length, telomerase activity, and fertility. Many studies have shown that the length of telomeres in human germ cells has a positive effect on the formation and further development of embryos. The relationship between the length of telomere regions and fertility has also been demonstrated. For example, males with shorter telomeres have lower-quality embryos than those with longer sperm telomeres. Males with higher sperm DNA fragmentation are also observed to have a shorter telomere length. In women, the short telomere length is associated with different diseases. The presence of elongated telomeres in the oocytes has shown that the probability of forming good-quality embryos increases. Conclusion. The role of telomere length and telomerase activity in the germ cells can make it possible to predict the effectiveness of ART programs and to introduce new analyses aimed at finding the causes of male and female infertility in future.

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About the authors

Olga V. Petrova

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: olga.zaharkina.90@mail.ru
junior researcher of 1st gynecology department

Anastas/a O. Kirillova

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: stasia.kozyreva@gmail.com
PhD, senior researcher of 1st gynecology department

Denis S. Nalobin

M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University

Email: denis.nalobin@gmail.com
PhD, senior researcher of Laboratory of Prototyping and Testing of Biological Developments, Faculty of Biology, Associate Professor, Faculty of Biotechnology

Irina V. Ushakova

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: irisun77@mail.ru
PhD, embryologist of 1-st gynecology department

Aidar N. Abubakirov

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: nondoc555@yahoo.com
PhD, Head of 1st gynecology department

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