Journal of biological rhythmsNov 5, 2014

Daily biological clock function in the mammal ovary

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 4, 2026

Abstract

Circadian disruption is associated with negative effects on reproductive function and fertility.

Rhythmic events in the female reproductive system depend on the coordinated activity of neuroendocrine and endocrine tissues.
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) functions as the primary circadian pacemaker, regulating gonadotropin release and ovulation.
Each ovarian cell type, including theca cells, granulosa cells, and oocytes, contains a molecular clock involved in follicular growth and hormone synthesis.
Disruption of the ovarian clock due to reproductive cycle changes or diseases can impact the timing of clock gene expression.
Chronodisruption may negatively affect reproductive function and fertility in both rodent models and women with irregular work schedules.
Chronobiotics may offer a potential treatment for fertility disorders linked to chronic circadian disruption.

Simplified

Rhythmic events in the female reproductive system depend on the coordinated and synchronized activity of multiple neuroendocrine and endocrine tissues. This coordination is facilitated by the timing of gene expression and cellular physiology at each level of the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, including the basal hypothalamus and forebrain, the pituitary gland, and the ovary. Central to this pathway is the primary circadian pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) that, through its myriad outputs, provides a temporal framework for gonadotropin release and ovulation. The heart of the timing system, a transcription-based oscillator, imparts SCN pacemaker cells and a company of peripheral tissues with the capacity for daily oscillations of gene expression and cellular physiology. Although the SCN sits comfortably at the helm, peripheral oscillators (such as the ovary) have undefined but potentially critical roles. Each cell type of the ovary, including theca cells, granulosa cells, and oocytes, harbor a molecular clock implicated in the processes of follicular growth, steroid hormone synthesis, and ovulation. The ovarian clock is influenced by the reproductive cycle and diseases that perturb the cycle and/or follicular growth can disrupt the timing of clock gene expression in the ovary. Chronodisruption is known to negatively affect reproductive function and fertility in both rodent models and women exposed to shiftwork schedules. Thus, influencing clock function in the HPO axis with chronobiotics may represent a novel avenue for the treatment of common fertility disorders, particularly those resulting from chronic circadian disruption.

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Daily biological clock function in the mammal ovary

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