Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40813666›Full record

ArticleCell communication and signaling : CCS2025

Mild chronic stress promotes female fertility via the ovarian CRF receptor.

Eran Gershon, Orna Issler, Mariana Schroeder, Yael Kuperman, Nava Nevo, Shlomi Lazar, Michal Elbaz, Nava Dekel, Alon Chen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cell communication and signaling : CCS, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Eran GershonDepartment of Ruminant Science, Institute of animal science, Agricultural Research organization, The Volacani Center, Rishon LeZion, 750510, Israel.
Orna IsslerPresent address, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU, New York, NY, USA.
Mariana SchroederPresent address, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Bern University, Bern, Germany.
Yael KupermanDepartment of Veterinary Resources, the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
Nava NevoDepartment of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
Shlomi LazarDepartment of Pharmacology, the Israeli Institute for Biological Research (IIBR), Ness- Ziona, Israel.
Michal ElbazDepartment of Ruminant Science, Institute of animal science, Agricultural Research organization, The Volacani Center, Rishon LeZion, 750510, Israel.
Nava DekelDepartment of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel. nava.dekel@weizmann.ac.il.
Alon ChenDepartment of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel. alon.chen@weizmann.ac.il.

Funding

Israel Science Foundation 0000
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn many species, including human, stress is accompanied by disruption of reproductive functions. The endocrine stress-response is activated and regulated by members of the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) protein family. Stress stimuli may affect reproductive functions locally, recruiting autocrine/paracrine strategies. Yet, the molecular mechanisms mediating these effects are not fully understood.

methodsTo explore the molecular mechanism mediating the ovarian stress response, we used three different models: (1) ICR mice subjected to chronic variable stress (CVS) procedure for 4 weeks. The stress procedure consisted of 9 different stressors per week, approximately 2 stressors per day both in the dark and the light phases. (2) wild-type mice undergoing intraovarian injection of the CRF receptor antagonist, β-asstressin, and (3) CRF-R1 knockout mice.

resultsWe report herein that ovulation rate was significantly elevated, and the litter size was substantially increased, in the following estrous cycle of female mice subjected to mild chronic variable stress (CVS). These females exhibited lower serum estrogen levels associated with reduced ovarian 17β-HSD3 expression. Exploration of the involvement of a neuroregulatory mechanism in this event revealed upregulation of the corticotropin releasing factor type 1 receptor (CRFR1) in the theca-interstitial cells of large ovarian follicles. In agreement, CRFR1 knockout mice, as well as wild-type females undergoing intraovarian injection of the CRF receptor antagonist, β-asstressin, displayed reduced ovulation rate, enhanced estrogen secretion and an increase in 17β-HSD3 expression.

conclusionsOur findings show a direct gonadal response to neuroendocrine and central stress-response regulators. The mechanism of this unexpected beneficial effect of CVS on reproduction may provide a neuro-endocrine background to the well-known "Baby Boom" phenomenon.

Indexed as

FertilityOvaryReceptors, Corticotropin-Releasing HormoneStress, PhysiologicalStress, PsychologicalAnimalsCorticotropin-Releasing HormoneCRF Receptor, Type 1Estrous CycleFemaleMiceMice, Inbred ICRMice, KnockoutOvulationCorticotropin-Releasing HormoneCRF Receptor, Type 1Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing HormoneBaby boomChronic variable stressCorticotrophin releasing factor receptorEstrogenOvaryOvulationReproduction

Identifiers

PMID40813666
PMCPMC12351781

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.