Contribution of myo-inositol to reproduction

Received 9 April 2009; received in revised form 11 August 2009; accepted 11 September 2009. published online 24 September 2009.

Abstract

Myo-inositol is involved in several aspects of human reproduction.

Elevated concentrations of myo-inositol in human follicular fluids appear to play a positive function in follicular maturity and provide a marker of good quality oocytes.

Nevertheless its positive role in PCOS women is a consequence of a defect in the insulin signaling pathway (inositol-containing phosphoglycan mediators) that seems to be primarily implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.

This article will review the involvement of inositol in female reproduction. After describing the biologic function of inositol and its derivatives, studies are quoted in which the role of inositol in fertility, oogenesis, and polycystic ovary syndrome are examined.

Keywords: Inositol, Oogenesis, PCOS, Fertility

a Centro Natalità, Gynaecological-Obstetric Department, San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy

b AGUNCO Obstetrics and Gynecology Centre, via G. Cassiani, Rome 15-00155, Italy

c Department of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada

d Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China

Corresponding author at: Centro Natalità, Gynaecological-Obstetric Department, IRCCS San Raffaele, via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milano, Italy. Tel.: +39 02 26432202; fax: +39 02 26434311.

PII: S0301-2115(09)00546-6

doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.09.008

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