Polyamine metabolism has been studied in female reproduction in humans and experimental models. Changes in the ovary, uterus, endometrium and myometrium, in maternal blood, urine, placenta, and embryo development as pregnancy progresses have been documented, as well as in women with spontaneous abortion and preeclampsia. Polyamines play an essential role in cell proliferation, growth, and differentiation. These molecules exert significant effects on embryonic development, implantation, placentation, and fetal development. Inhibition of the polyamine synthesis in immature female mice inhibits ovarian development and delays puberty. In the uterus, polyamine synthesis is regulated by hormones such as 17-β estradiol. In young female rats, this hormone increases rapidly uterine ornithine decarboxylase activity; an enzyme involved in polyamine synthesis. The concentration of polyamines increases in the plasma and urine of pregnant women as the pregnancy progresses. They exert significant effects on embryonic development, implantation, placentation, and fetal development. In rats, specific and irreversible inhibition of polyamine synthesis causes inhibition of embryonic development and embryo resorption. Polyamines are oxidized by polyamine oxidase. It has been hypothesized that this enzyme has a protective role in the physiology of pregnancy and that polyamine oxidase at high levels protects the mother and fetus from high concentrations of biogenic amines. On the other hand, acrolein, a highly reactive aldehyde, is formed by oxidation of polyamines. Since acrolein is highly reactive to molecules containing amine groups such as proteins, nucleic acids, and aminophospholipids forming advanced glycation end products, it can be speculated the participation of this metabolite in toxemia development, but this remains to be demonstrated. In conclusion, polyamines are involved in all stages of the reproductive process in women. From the maturation of the ovary, the menstrual cycle, the implantation process, embryonic development, growth, and lactation are regulated by polyamines, in turn, the activity of enzymes that biosynthesize polyamines is regulated by hormones, as is the case of ornithine decarboxylase. If the synthesis of polyamines stops, embryonic development is blocked, which clearly demonstrates its participation in this process.
Author
(s) Details
José D. Méndez
Medical Research Unit in Metabolic Diseases, Cardiology Hospital. National
Medical Center, Mexican nstitute of Social Security, Mexico.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/acmms/v4/1943
