A recent study has revealed an unexpected connection between muscles and the pituitary gland, which could play a key role in female fertility.
Researchers from McGill University discovered that a protein produced by muscles helps control the release of a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain. This finding, published in Science, could open up new treatments for infertility.
“Until now, we didn’t know there was any connection between these two organs,” said Daniel Bernard, lead author and professor at McGill University’s Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. “This discovery advances our understanding of the human body and its complex interactions.”
The study focused on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is produced by the pituitary gland and is crucial for egg maturation in the ovaries. A lack of FSH can result in infertility.
Myostatin, a protein that inhibits muscle growth, was also found to play a role. The team discovered that low myostatin levels delayed puberty and decreased fertility in mice. When myostatin levels were restored, FSH levels increased, though it is still unclear if fertility can be fully restored.
Myostatin inhibitors, which are being developed to treat muscular dystrophy, could also help preserve muscle mass in people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic, which may cause muscle loss during weight loss.
However, the study raised concerns about the potential risks of blocking myostatin. “Experimental drugs aimed at treating muscle disorders lowered FSH levels in female mice,” said Luisina Ongaro, lead author and research associate. “While these drugs may increase muscle mass, they could also negatively affect reproductive hormones and fertility.”
This discovery opens up new research possibilities, including how myostatin levels influence puberty timing, menstrual cessation in female athletes, and unexplained infertility.
The next step for the research team is to determine if these findings in mice apply to humans. They see this as a promising area for further investigation.
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