Carotenoids in female and male reproduction. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pasquariello, Rolando; Anipchenko, Polina; Pennarossa, Georgia; Crociati, Martina; Zerani, Massimo; Brevini, Tiziana AL.; Gandolfi, Fulvio; Maranesi, Margherita
• Is Part Of: Phytochemistry. Volume 204(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Carotenoids -- Retinol -- Retinoic acid -- Antioxidants -- Mammals -- Veterinary species -- Folliculogenesis -- Oogenesis -- Steroidogenesis -- Fertility -- Embryo development -- Spermatogenesis; all trans RA T-RA -- cyclic adenosine-3', 5'-monophosphate cAMP -- cytochrome P450 Family 26 Subfamily B Member 1 CYP26B1 -- inducible nitric oxide synthase iNOS -- KIT proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase KIT -- meiotic recombination protein REC8 -- Nitrous Oxide NO/NOS -- phosphoinositide 3-kinase PI3K -- mechanistic target of rapamycin mTOR -- cellular retinoic acid-binding proteins CRABPs, CRABPI -- retinoic acid induced 14 RAI14 -- retinoic acid receptors RAR / RARs / RARalpha / RARbeta / RARgamma / RXRbeta / RXR / RARg2 -- retinoic acid-stimulated receptor 6 and 8 STRA6, STRA8 -- retinol-binding protein RBP -- spermatogenesis and oogenesis-specific basic helix–loop–helix 1 Sohlh1 -- synaptonemal Complex Protein 3 Scp3 -- glutathione peroxidase GSH-Px -- inhibitor of DNA binding 4 Id4 -- nanos C2HC-type zinc finger 2 and 3 Nanos2, Nanos3 -- neurogenin-3 Ngn3 -- neurotrophic factor receptor Gfrα1 -- peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha PPARα -- POU Class 5 Homeobox 1 Pou5f1 -- recombination protein Rec8 -- zinc finger and BTB domain containing 16 Zbtb16; Botanical chemistry -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Botany -- Periodicals; Chimie végétale -- Périodiques; 572.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113459
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-9422

Abstract

Abstract: Carotenoids are among the best-known pigments in nature, confer color to plants and animals, and are mainly derived from photosynthetic bacteria, fungi, algae, plants. Mammals cannot synthesize carotenoids. Carotenoids' source is only alimentary and after their assumption, they are mainly converted in retinal, retinol and retinoic acid, collectively known also as pro-vitamins and vitamin A, which play an essential role in tissue growth and regulate different aspects of the reproductive functions. However, their mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic effects are still unclear. This review aims to clarify the role of carotenoids in the male and female reproductive functions in species of veterinary interest. In female, carotenoids and their derivatives regulate not only folliculogenesis and oogenesis but also steroidogenesis. Moreover, they improve fertility by decreasing the risk of embryonic mortality. In male, retinol and retinoic acids activate molecular pathways related to spermatogenesis. Deficiencies of these vitamins have been correlated with degeneration of testis parenchyma with consequent absence of the mature sperm. Carotenoids have also been considered anti-antioxidants as they ameliorate the effect of free radicals. The mechanisms of action seem to be exerted by activating Kit and Stra8 pathways in both female and male. In conclusion, carotenoids have potentially beneficial effects for ameliorating ovarian and testes function. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Carotenoids are natural pigments with essential role in promoting tissue growth, female, and male reproductive function. Mammals cannot synthetize carotenoids thereby they need to take them from the diet. Carotenoids have a steroidogenic function and act as regulators of folliculogenesis and oogenesis. Retinol and retinoic acid are essential in the development of mature sperm.