An increasing number of individuals are choosing to delay parenthood, with approximately one-third of couples facing difficulties conceiving if the woman is over 35 due to declining fertility. However, researchers are exploring the potential of rapamycin, a drug typically used in organ transplant patients, to extend a woman’s fertile years by up to five years.
Preliminary results from a small pilot study suggest that rapamycin could have a positive impact on fertility, although further research is needed to confirm these findings. Studies in mice have shown that rapamycin can delay ovarian ageing and menopause, potentially offering hope for women facing premature menopause.
The drug works by limiting the recruitment and activation of primordial follicles, thus preserving the ovarian reserve. Although the initial study involved a small group, researchers are optimistic and plan to enroll a larger cohort to validate the results on a broader scale.
If proven effective, rapamycin could provide a new approach to treating ovarian ageing and prolonging fertility in women. This study underscores the importance of repurposing existing drugs for women’s health and highlights the potential for further research in this area.
Stéphane Berneau, a Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, also explores repurposing diabetes drugs to enhance the uterus’s receptivity for embryo implantation and investigate targets for ovarian cancer treatment.
Vocabulary List:
- Fertility /fərˈtɪləti/ (noun): The ability to conceive children or young.
- Ovarian /oʊˈveɪriən/ (adjective): Relating to the ovaries.
- Premature /ˌpriːməˈtʃʊər/ (adjective): Occurring or done before the usual or expected time.
- Cohort /ˈkoʊhɔːrt/ (noun): A group of people banded together or treated as a group.
- Repurposing /ˌriːˈpɜːrpəsɪŋ/ (verb): Using something for a different purpose than originally intended.
- Validate /ˈvælɪdeɪt/ (verb): To confirm or support the truth or value of something.
