Circadian Rhythm in Reproductive Endocrinology

Many physiological processes are controlled by our biological clock, including endocrine function. Circadian rhythm allows us to adapt to the changes of day and night in the span of 24 hours, modulating energy metabolism, inflammatory processes and cellular renewal.

Chronic disruption of circadian rhythms has been associated with the development of a number of adverse mental and physiological conditions including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, poor mental health, and increases in pregnancy complications.

Even so, there are still many gaps in research pertaining to the functional links between circadian rhythm and endocrine health. The current Research Topic encourages original research, reviews, or other accepted article types relating, but not limited, to:

- Biomarkers for circadian rhythm: melatonin, cortisol, body temperature, gene expression, etc.

- Alterations in circadian gene and protein expression and its correlation with decreased fertility and increased pregnancy loss

- Interplay between sleep and levels of FSH, LH, and prolactin

- Association between circadian rhythm disruptions and PCOS

- Circadian rhythm of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonads (HPG) axis: neuropeptides and receptors

- Circadian rhythm and gestational diabetes

- Therapeutic targets for pregnancy complications induced by circadian rhythm disruptions

- Maternal and fetal circadian rhythms

- Social media and novel technologies as circadian rhythm disruptors: friends or foes of reproduction?

- Chronobiology-based interventions to improve reproductive health and performance outcomes

- Mediators of effect of circadian rhythm disruption and reproductive performance (e.g. microbiome)

- Type of circadian rhythm disruptors and effect on reproductive outcome