Human Reproduction Update Advance Access originally published online on February 16, 2007
Human Reproduction Update 2007 13(3):225-238; doi:10.1093/humupd/dml063
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Impact of folate and homocysteine metabolism on human reproductive health
1 Inserm U724, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology in Nutrition, University of Nancy, 9, avenue de la Forêt de Haye, 54505 Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France 2 Inserm U724, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Maternite Regionale et Universitaire, 10, rue Dr Heydenreich BP74213, F-54042 Nancy, France
3 Correspondence addresses. Inserm U724 & Department of Reproductive Medicine, Maternite Regionale Universitaire, 10, rue Dr Heydenreich BP74213, F-54042 Nancy Cedex, France. Tel: +33-383-344-309; Fax: +33-383-344-409; E-mail: t.forges{at}maternite.chu-nancy.fr
Folates belong to the vitamin B group and are involved in a large number of biochemical processes, particularly in the metabolism of homocysteine. Dietary or genetically determined folate deficiency leads to mild hyperhomocysteinemia, which has been associated with various pathologies. Molecular mechanisms of homocysteine-induced cellular dysfunction include increased inflammatory cytokine expression, altered nitric oxide bioavailability, induction of oxidative stress, activation of apoptosis and defective methylation. Whereas the involvement of folate metabolism and homocysteine in ageing-related diseases, in several developmental abnormalities and in pregnancy complications has given rise to a large amount of scientific work, the role of these biochemical factors in the earlier stages of mammalian reproduction and the possible preventive effects of folate supplementation on fertility have, until recently, been much less investigated. In the present article, the possible roles of folates and homocysteine in male and female subfertility and related diseases are systematically reviewed, with regard to the epidemiological, pathological, pharmacological and experimental data of the literature from the last 25 years.
Key words: fertility / folates / homocysteine / MTHFR polymorphism / human reproduction
Received on July 25, 2006; revised December 16, 2006; accepted on December 29, 2006
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