Core Insights - A groundbreaking study from Nankai University reveals a potential treatment for infertility in women over 34, linked to ribosomal dysfunction as a molecular clock of aging [1][2] - The research indicates that the drug rapamycin may serve as a safe and effective method to help women with repeated IVF failures achieve successful pregnancies and live births [1][2] Research Findings - The study identifies significant transcriptional changes in oocytes and surrounding cumulus cells after the age of 34, particularly an abnormal increase in ribosomal gene transcription [1] - Key gene expressions related to meiosis, actin, and adhesion proteins are downregulated, while lysosomal activity and protein homeostasis in cumulus cells are disrupted [1][2] Mechanism of Action - The research highlights that the abnormal function of ribosomes is a previously overlooked driver of declining oocyte quality, linked to epigenetic dysregulation [2] - Specific genomic loci exhibit DNA hypomethylation and reduced levels of heterochromatin H3K9me3, indicating a chaotic control system for gene expression [2] Clinical Application - The study includes a randomized controlled trial demonstrating that short-term treatment with rapamycin can lead to the production of high-quality blastocysts in women with repeated IVF failures, resulting in successful pregnancies [2] - The director of the Reproductive Medicine Center at Shanxi Children's Hospital emphasizes the encouraging preliminary results, suggesting a new pathway for understanding and treating age-related infertility [2]

Core Insights - A groundbreaking study by Nankai University reveals a new target for treating infertility in women due to age or unknown reasons, focusing on ribosomal dysregulation as a molecular clock affecting fertility after age 34 [1][2] - The study suggests that the drug rapamycin may serve as a potential, safe, and effective treatment method for patients experiencing repeated IVF failures, leading to successful pregnancies and live births [1][3] Group 1: Research Findings - The research indicates that significant transcriptomic changes occur in oocytes and surrounding cumulus cells after women reach 34 years of age, with a notable increase in ribosomal gene transcription levels [2] - The study identifies that the abnormal function of ribosomes is a previously overlooked driver of declining oocyte quality, affecting both oocytes and their surrounding supportive cells [2] Group 2: Mechanism and Treatment - Further investigation reveals that the overactivity of ribosomal genes is closely linked to epigenetic dysregulation, including DNA hypomethylation and reduced levels of heterochromatin H3K9me3, leading to chaotic gene expression [2] - The research team conducted mouse intervention trials using rapamycin, which effectively reduced overall translational activity and improved ovarian microenvironment and oocyte quality [3] - Clinical trials confirmed that short-term rapamycin treatment resulted in high-quality blastocysts and successful pregnancies in patients with repeated IVF failures [3]