NIAB researchers found that reducing Cathepsin B protein activity preserves ovarian reserve in mice and goat ovaries, potentially slowing reproductive aging. This could extend fertility in women and livestock, addressing human infertility and boosting farmers’ productivity, with profound implications for India’s rural and reproductive health challenges.
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The National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) researchers discovered a mechanism that could slow female reproductive ageing by targeting the ovarian reserve and a specific cellular protein.
Female mammals, including humans, are born with a limited number of egg cells, also known as oocytes. This pool of eggs is called the ovarian reserve.
Unlike sperm in males, these egg cells cannot be naturally regenerated.
Over time, both the quantity and quality of these eggs decline due to factors like oxidative stress and cellular aging. This decline accelerates with age, particularly after the early 30s in humans.
The NIAB research team identified a protein-degrading enzyme called Cathepsin B (Cat B) as a key driver of this decline.
Using experiments on both live mice and cultured goat ovaries, the scientists discovered that reducing the activity of Cat B helps preserve the ovarian reserve.
By hindering this protein, scientists were able to slow down the rate of egg cell loss => protecting the ovarian reserve from premature decline.
Addressing Delayed Parenthood => In modern society, many individuals and couples delay starting a family for educational, career, or personal reasons. However, female fertility naturally declines with age, making conception more difficult later in life.
Potential Alternative to IVF => Current solutions, like In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), are often expensive, invasive, and less effective in older women. This discovery could pave the way for developing a safe, biological method (perhaps a simple intervention or medication) to slow down ovarian aging.
Extending the Fertility Window => Such an intervention could naturally extend a woman's reproductive lifespan, giving her more choices and reducing the pressure of the "biological clock." It could also lower the risk of age-related chromosomal disorders in offspring.
Applying this finding to livestock could extend the reproductive years of animals like cattle and goats, more offspring per animal over its lifetime, directly improving herd productivity. Increased productivity leads to better economic returns for farmers, enhancing their financial stability.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. What happens to a protein when it is "denatured," for example, when you cook an egg? A) It gets much stronger. B) It loses its shape and function. C) It turns into sugar. D) It disappears completely. Answer: B Explanation: The protein in a raw egg white (albumin) is folded up and transparent. When you apply heat (cook it), the protein denatures. The unfolded chains tangle with each other, forming a solid, white mass. The protein has permanently lost its original shape and function. |
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