In France, approximately 1 couple out of 5 encounters difficulties in conceiving a child: in approximately 30% of cases, it is a problem of female infertility.
Many pathologies (such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, for example) and many health concerns (tubal infertility, cysts, etc.) can disrupt women’s fertility: a new study conducted by the Houston Methodist Research Institute (in the United States) looked specifically at the impact of cholesterol.
“On the ovaries, there are specific receptors for HDL cholesterol; a dysregulation of this cholesterol could therefore play a role in cases of female infertility” say the American researchers.
High HDL cholesterol = infertility?
To test their hypothesis, the scientists developed a synthetic protein in the laboratory capable of reducing HDL cholesterol levels (often referred to as “good” cholesterol) by around 40% in just 3 hours.
They then gave it to mice with abnormally high HDL cholesterol levels – “these mice were completely sterile“The scientists point out. Result? After the injection, the American researchers observed an improvement in the fertility of the treated mice.
“The next stage of our work will be to carry out a clinical study in women suffering from idiopathic infertility, that is to say without an identified cause. If these patients have abnormally high levels of HDL cholesterol, our protein may be part of the treatment. Even if we only help 1% of women affected by infertility, it will already be a victory.”
Source :Journal of Lipid Research
