Mitochondria are well-known powerhouses in our cells, but they do much more than just that. New research shows that these cellular components also play an important role in the ageing process and fertility. Scientists discovered that a specific protein that helps mitochondria to divide decreases as we get older. This can lead to fertility issues, a problem that occurs especially in women at an older age.
The study focuses on a gene that regulates this mitochondrial division. In mice with less of this gene, reduced fertility occurred, alongside changes in other organs that are typical of ageing. This indicates that the health of our mitochondria can directly influence how our body ages. Until now, it was primarily known that damage to the DNA in the cell nucleus plays a role in the ageing process and fertility problems. The new research shows that the functioning of mitochondria also plays a part in this.
This discovery is important because it opens up new possibilities for treatments that can extend lifespan and fertility. By better understanding how mitochondria age and lose their functions, scientists may be able to develop therapies in the future that slow down or even reverse this process. This could especially help women who struggle to conceive as they get older.
The research on mice is a first step in unravelling the complex relationship between mitochondria, ageing and fertility. Because humans share similar genetic characteristics, the insights are also relevant to our health. It contributes to a better understanding of healthy ageing and offers hope for new methods to make the biological ageing process healthier.
These new insights underscore the importance of mitochondria for our long-term health and fertility at an older age.
Source: Buck Institute
