Application and discoveries of metabolomics and proteomics in the study of female infertility

Abstract

Introduction: Female infertility is defined as the absence of clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.

Methods: This study employed metabolomics and proteomics approaches to investigate the relationship between metabolites and proteins and female infertility. The study used metabolomics and proteomics data from the UK Biobank to identify metabolites and proteins linked to infertility.

Results: The results showed that GRAM domain-containing protein 1C and metabolites fibrinogen cleavage peptides ADpSGEGDFXAEGGGVR and 3-Hydroxybutyrate had a positive correlation with infertility, whereas proteins such as Interleukin-3 receptor subunit alpha, Thrombospondin type-1 domain-containing protein 1, Intestinal-type alkaline phosphatase, and platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 exhibited a negative correlation. These findings provide new clues and targets for infertility diagnosis and treatment. However, further research is required to validate these results and gain a deeper understanding of the specific roles of these metabolites and proteins in infertility pathogenesis.

Discussion: In conclusion, metabolomics and proteomics techniques have significant application value in the study of infertility, allowing for a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying infertility and providing new insights and strategies for its diagnosis and treatment. These research findings provide a crucial biological mechanistic basis for early infertility screening, prevention, and treatment.

Keywords: Mendelian randomization (MR); bioinformatics; female infertility; metabolomics; proteomics.