Skip to main content
Top
Published in:

03-01-2024 | Fertility | Review

Research progress on reproductive system damage caused by high altitude hypoxia

Authors: Yan Zhong, Feifei Liu, Xiaojing Zhang, Qianwen Guo, Zihan Wang, Rong Wang

Published in: Endocrine | Issue 3/2024

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

The high altitude area is characterized by low pressure and hypoxia, and rapidly entering the high altitude area will cause a series of damage to the body. Some studies have shown that hypoxia can cause damage to the reproductive system. In recent years, researchers have been paying attention to the effects of hypoxia on hormone level, ovarian reserve, embryonic development, testicular development, sperm motility level, and have begun to explore its injury mechanism, but its mechanism is not clear. In this paper, the mechanism of hypoxia on the reproductive system is reviewed, which is expected to provide a new idea for solving the problem of the low fertility rate of humans and animals at high altitudes.

Methods

A comprehensive PubMed search was conducted, selecting all relevant peer-reviewed English papers published before January 2022. Other relevant papers were selected from the list of references.

Results

Studies have shown that the complete fertility rate of people living at low altitudes is 7.7, and the complete fertility rate of people living at high altitudes is 4.77, and the hypoxic environment at high altitudes reduces fertility. At the same time, high-altitude, low-oxygen environments are associated with increased infant mortality and post-neonatal mortality. To date, most studies seem to point to a correlation between anoxic exposure at high altitudes and low fertility in humans and animals.

Conclusion

Although the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood, the effects of hypoxia at high altitude on hormonal level, ovarian reserve, embryonic development, testicular development, and sperm motility and levels require further research to investigate this complex topic.
Literature
4.
go back to reference M. Serrano Dueñas, High altitude pulmonary edema. Study of 21 cases. Med. Clin. 110(12), 446–449 (1998) M. Serrano Dueñas, High altitude pulmonary edema. Study of 21 cases. Med. Clin. 110(12), 446–449 (1998)
21.
go back to reference A. Ornoy, M. Becker, L. Weinstein-Fudim, Z. Ergaz, Diabetes during pregnancy: a maternal disease complicating the course of pregnancy with long-term deleterious effects on the offspring. A clinical review. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22(6), (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22062965 A. Ornoy, M. Becker, L. Weinstein-Fudim, Z. Ergaz, Diabetes during pregnancy: a maternal disease complicating the course of pregnancy with long-term deleterious effects on the offspring. A clinical review. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22(6), (2021). https://​doi.​org/​10.​3390/​ijms22062965
24.
go back to reference T. Zhang, B. Li, W. Zhao, P.L. Lei, M.C. Gui, C.M. Qiu, The effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia on hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in rats. Laser J. 30(05), 94–95 (2009) T. Zhang, B. Li, W. Zhao, P.L. Lei, M.C. Gui, C.M. Qiu, The effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia on hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in rats. Laser J. 30(05), 94–95 (2009)
28.
go back to reference S.Z. Li, Z.X. Cai, H.B. Wang, B.H. Zheng, C.J. Jiang, Effect of hypoxia(3,658m) on sermu levels of progesterone and estradiol in women. J. Radioimmunol. 01, 30–31 (2006) S.Z. Li, Z.X. Cai, H.B. Wang, B.H. Zheng, C.J. Jiang, Effect of hypoxia(3,658m) on sermu levels of progesterone and estradiol in women. J. Radioimmunol. 01, 30–31 (2006)
30.
go back to reference J. Na, X.H. Tang, lU MS, research progress of the correlation of follicular fluid composition and oocyte quality. Med. Recapitulate 21(21), 3886–3889 (2015) J. Na, X.H. Tang, lU MS, research progress of the correlation of follicular fluid composition and oocyte quality. Med. Recapitulate 21(21), 3886–3889 (2015)
33.
go back to reference J. Wen, W. Sun, B. Ning, X.M. Zhen, L. Wang, J. Chen, The study of relationship between follicular vascular endothelial growth factor and the outcome of pregnancy in in vitro fertilization cycles. J. Reprod. Med. 06, 348–351 (2003) J. Wen, W. Sun, B. Ning, X.M. Zhen, L. Wang, J. Chen, The study of relationship between follicular vascular endothelial growth factor and the outcome of pregnancy in in vitro fertilization cycles. J. Reprod. Med. 06, 348–351 (2003)
47.
go back to reference B. Guo, X.M. Zhang, S.J. Li, X.C. Tian, S.T. Wang, D.D. Li et al. Expression and regulation of Ang-2 in murine ovaries during sexual maturation and development of corpus luteum. Mol. Biol. 46(6), 900–906 (2012)CrossRef B. Guo, X.M. Zhang, S.J. Li, X.C. Tian, S.T. Wang, D.D. Li et al. Expression and regulation of Ang-2 in murine ovaries during sexual maturation and development of corpus luteum. Mol. Biol. 46(6), 900–906 (2012)CrossRef
55.
go back to reference B.A. Rattner, G.M. Ramm, Effects of hypoxia on early pregnancy and embryonic development in the mouse. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 46(7), 911–915 (1975)PubMed B.A. Rattner, G.M. Ramm, Effects of hypoxia on early pregnancy and embryonic development in the mouse. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 46(7), 911–915 (1975)PubMed
56.
go back to reference K.C. McLellan, S.B. Hooper, A.D. Bocking, P.J. Delhanty, I.D. Phillips, D.J. Hill et al. Prolonged hypoxia induced by the reduction of maternal uterine blood flow alters insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and IGFBP-2 gene expression in the ovine fetus. Endocrinology 131(4), 1619–1628 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1210/endo.131.4.1382958CrossRefPubMed K.C. McLellan, S.B. Hooper, A.D. Bocking, P.J. Delhanty, I.D. Phillips, D.J. Hill et al. Prolonged hypoxia induced by the reduction of maternal uterine blood flow alters insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and IGFBP-2 gene expression in the ovine fetus. Endocrinology 131(4), 1619–1628 (1992). https://​doi.​org/​10.​1210/​endo.​131.​4.​1382958CrossRefPubMed
70.
go back to reference A.P. Yang, L.H. Wang, Evaluation of 165 cases of infertility treated by laparoscopy in high altitude area. Matern. Child Health Care China 28(28), 4693–4694 (2013) A.P. Yang, L.H. Wang, Evaluation of 165 cases of infertility treated by laparoscopy in high altitude area. Matern. Child Health Care China 28(28), 4693–4694 (2013)
71.
go back to reference S.T. Zhao, Diagnosis and analysis on 182 cases of infertile women under laparoscopic. Matern. Child Health Care China 19, 2646–2647 (2006) S.T. Zhao, Diagnosis and analysis on 182 cases of infertile women under laparoscopic. Matern. Child Health Care China 19, 2646–2647 (2006)
78.
go back to reference X. Zhou. L-carnitine reduces testicular damage in rats under simulated high altitude by affecting pi3k/Akt/Hif-1α pathway. Master (Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2021). X. Zhou. L-carnitine reduces testicular damage in rats under simulated high altitude by affecting pi3k/Akt/Hif-1α pathway. Master (Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2021).
87.
90.
92.
go back to reference X.Q. Chen, F.P. Kong, Y. Zhao, J.Z. Du, High-altitude hypoxia induces disorders of the brain-endocrine-immune network through activation of corticotropin-releasing factor and its type-1 receptors. Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi 28(6), 481–487 (2012)PubMed X.Q. Chen, F.P. Kong, Y. Zhao, J.Z. Du, High-altitude hypoxia induces disorders of the brain-endocrine-immune network through activation of corticotropin-releasing factor and its type-1 receptors. Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi 28(6), 481–487 (2012)PubMed
98.
go back to reference J.M. Yang, Analysis of sex hormone levels in healthy women at different altitudes. J. High. Alt. Med. 28(01), 44–45 (2018) J.M. Yang, Analysis of sex hormone levels in healthy women at different altitudes. J. High. Alt. Med. 28(01), 44–45 (2018)
105.
go back to reference A. Hernández-Vásquez, A. Bartra Reátegui, R. Vargas-Fernández. Altitude and its association with low birth weight among children of 151,873 Peruvian women: a pooled analysis of a nationally representative survey. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 20(2), (2023) https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021411 A. Hernández-Vásquez, A. Bartra Reátegui, R. Vargas-Fernández. Altitude and its association with low birth weight among children of 151,873 Peruvian women: a pooled analysis of a nationally representative survey. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 20(2), (2023) https://​doi.​org/​10.​3390/​ijerph20021411
108.
go back to reference D.H. Chang, F.Y. Kong, W. Jiang, F.D. Li, Y.D. Kang, X. Zhou et al. Establishment of a model of reproductive system injury in male Wistar rats in high-altitude hypoxia environment. Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue 26(12), 1068–1073 (2020) D.H. Chang, F.Y. Kong, W. Jiang, F.D. Li, Y.D. Kang, X. Zhou et al. Establishment of a model of reproductive system injury in male Wistar rats in high-altitude hypoxia environment. Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue 26(12), 1068–1073 (2020)
Metadata
Title
Research progress on reproductive system damage caused by high altitude hypoxia
Authors
Yan Zhong
Feifei Liu
Xiaojing Zhang
Qianwen Guo
Zihan Wang
Rong Wang
Publication date
03-01-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Endocrine / Issue 3/2024
Print ISSN: 1355-008X
Electronic ISSN: 1559-0100
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-023-03643-w

Keynote series | Spotlight on menopause

Menopause can have a significant impact on the body, with effects ranging beyond the endocrine and reproductive systems. Learn about the systemic effects of menopause, so you can help patients in your clinics through the transition.   

Prof. Martha Hickey
Dr. Claudia Barth
Dr. Samar El Khoudary
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Watch now

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on adolescent vaping

Growing numbers of young people are using e-cigarettes, despite warnings of respiratory effects and addiction. How can doctors tackle the epidemic, and what health effects should you prepare to manage in your clinics?

Prof. Ann McNeill
Dr. Debbie Robson
Benji Horwell
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Watch now

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on modern management of frailty

Frailty has a significant impact on health and wellbeing, especially in older adults. Our experts explain the factors that contribute to the development of frailty and how you can manage the condition and reduce the risk of disability, dependency, and mortality in your patients.

Prof. Alfonso Cruz-Jentoft
Prof. Barbara C. van Munster
Prof. Mirko Petrovic
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Watch now

A quick guide to ECGs

Improve your ECG interpretation skills with this comprehensive, rapid, interactive course. Expert advice provides detailed feedback as you work through 50 ECGs covering the most common cardiac presentations to ensure your practice stays up to date. 

PD Dr. Carsten W. Israel
Developed by: Springer Medizin
Start the cases

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine
Read more