Effects of Sirtuins on Female Reproductivity and Oocyte Quality: Traditional Review

Sirtuins (SIRTs) are described as a family of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent deacetylases and is able to catalyze post-translational modifications of proteins. It has been documented that, SIRTs respond to metabolic challenges, inflammation molecules, and oxidative stress. Many studies have linked SIRTs with longevity and having anti-aging activity. Our knowledge of SIRTs in reproduction has grown increasingly over the last few years. The majority of these research is carried out primarily on the effects on SIRT1 on female reproduction. It has been demonstarted that down-regulating SIRT1 trigers the reduction of ovarian reserve. Many research has demonstrated that, SIRT1 regulates proliferation and apoptosis in granulosa cells. Activity studies of SIRTs opened the discoveries of the functional aspects of different types of SIRTs in improving the overall quality of in vitro oocytes in humans and animal models. It has been documented that, SIRT1, SIRT2 and SIRT3 protect oocytes against postovulatory aging. The relationship between derangement of SIRT signaling and the imbalance of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses in female reproductive organs has also been documented. The present review aims to put forward information on the mechanism and cellular role of SIRTs and give an update of sirtuin research in female reproduction under physiological and pathological conditions. The final goal of this work is to put forward the therapeutic potential of SIRTs in female infertility.