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
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 24, 2009
Accepted:
September 11,
2009
Received in revised form:
August 11,
2009
Received:
April 9,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
