Are ovarian ageing and general ageing associated? An epidemiological and molecular view on the effects of early ovarian ageing

2021.04.14 | Graduate School of Health

On Friday 23 April at 10:00, Mette Wulf Christensen defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Are ovarian ageing and general ageing associated? An epidemiological and molecular view on the effects of early ovarian ageing".

Normal ovarian ageing (NOA) describes the age-related process of a gradual loss of follicles concomitant with a decline in oocyte quality represented by decreasing fecundity and increasing risk of pregnancy loss and will result in menopause around the age of 51 years. Early ovarian ageing (EOA) characterizes the idiopathic accelerated loss of primordial follicles forming the ovarian reserve and will cause either premature (< 40 years) or early menopause (< 45 years). Approximately 1 % of the female population will have premature menopause and up to 10 % early menopause.

Increased risk of several health consequences such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been associated with premature and early menopause when compared to the risk in women with normal menopausal age, suggesting an accelerated general ageing process associated to EOA. The onset of this process may start before menopause. While the normal age-dependent decrease in oocyte quantity is known to be associated with a simultaneous decrease of oocyte competence, this has been less clear in young women with EOA.

Early ovarian ageing may be diagnosed during fertility treatment with Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) by harvest of few oocytes after ovarian stimulation.

The present thesis therefore aimed to investigate the general health and to assess oocyte competence in young women diagnosed with EOA. Additionally, two biomarkers of ageing were evaluated to explore a hypothesis of an early premenopausal biological ageing in these women.   

The summary is written by the PhD student.    

The defence is public and takes place online via Zoom. Please read the attached press release for more information.

Contact:

PhD student Mette Wulf Christensen

Mail: mwch@clin.au.dk

Phone: (+45) 40500958

Read full press release