Myo-inositol in assisted reproductive technology from bench to bedside

Andrea Etrusco; Antonio Simone Laganà; Vito Chiantera; Giovanni Buzzaccarini; Vittorio Unfer

doi:10.1016/j.tem.2023.09.005

Myo-inositol in assisted reproductive technology from bench to bedside

Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Jan;35(1):74-83. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.09.005. Epub 2023 Oct 3.

Authors

Andrea Etrusco¹, Antonio Simone Laganà², Vito Chiantera³, Giovanni Buzzaccarini⁴, Vittorio Unfer⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 'Paolo Giaccone' Hospital, Palermo, Italy.
² Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 'Paolo Giaccone' Hospital, Palermo, Italy; The Experts Group on Inositol in Basic and Clinical Research (EGOI).
³ Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Unit of Gynecologic Oncology, National Cancer Institute - IRCCS - Fondazione 'G. Pascale', Naples, Italy.
⁴ Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
⁵ The Experts Group on Inositol in Basic and Clinical Research (EGOI); UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: vunfer@gmail.com.

PMID: 37798243
DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.09.005

Abstract

Inositols are insulin-sensitizing compounds of promising efficacy in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). On the one hand, myo-inositol (myo-ins) plays a regulatory role in male and female reproductive function, influencing the development of oocytes, spermatozoa, and embryos. On the other hand, high concentrations of D-chiro-inositol (D-chiro-ins) in the ovary may adversely affect oocyte quality. This review analyses the available literature, which encourages the clinical use of myo-ins in assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) due to its beneficial effects on female and male reproduction.

Keywords: D-chiro-inositol; assisted reproductive technology; in vitro fertilization; infertility; myo-inositol; polycystic ovary syndrome.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Inositol* / therapeutic use
Insulin
Male
Oocytes
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / drug therapy
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted

Substances

Inositol
Insulin