Adipose tissue is no longer regarded as an inert, depot storage tissue, that only serves the purposes of storing energy that is not needed for immediate use, or thermal regulation. Having extensive functions in the body, adipose tissue is one of the most specialized, endocrine, and paracrine organs. Adipose tissue represents, considering its size, the biggest endocrine gland in the body. Both adipocytes and surrounding resident cells (immune cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts) synthesize and secrete hundred molecules collectively called adipokines, with endocrine or paracrine functions. Adipokines affect not only energy metabolism, but also reproduction in mammals.

Adipose tissue is now recognized as an important factor in the equation by which the nutritional status regulates human reproductive functions. More recently, their involvement in fertility regulation and the development of some reproductive disorders has been suggested. For example, underweight women have delayed puberty, whereas overweight and obese women have early puberty and are prone to develop polycystic ovary syndrome, gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclapsia.

Among the adipokines, data concerning the roles of leptin and adiponectin are consistent and more
discussed. In addition to regulating energy homeostasis, leptin plays a crucial role in neuroendocrine function, including reproduction. Interestingly, it plays an important role in initiating puberty and regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Adiponectin, a beneficial adipokine, is linked to obesity and reproduction. As adiponectin levels increase, menstrual function improves and assisted reproductive cycles to become more successful.

In recent years interest has grown about some novel adipokines (chemerin, visfatin, resistin, apelin) and their role in female and male reproduction. Many researchers have demonstrated that adipokine receptors but also adipokines themselves are expressed in human peripheral reproductive tissues and that these adipokines are likely to exert direct effects on these tissues.

Despite the considerable amount of work was performed the past two decades on adipokines, however, we realize how little we know about the full range of these molecules secreted by the adipose tissue and more importantly about their biology and function in human reproduction. There are some roles of adipokines that are unknown, and some that are contradictory or that are unidentified. Therefore, this proposed Research Topic intends to evaluate the effects of different adipokines on the various aspects of male and female reproduction. As there are physiological mechanisms of endocrine and metabolic changes during different reproduction circumstances and adipokines have significant roles during different events, we encourage researchers to report to discuss their roles and mechanism of action.

This Research Topic explores the endocrine and metabolic effects of adipokines on various aspects of reproduction in mammals. Original research and review articles related to the following subthemes are welcome:

1- The roles of adipokines in the onset of puberty

2- The expression of adipokines in the testis and their effect on the processes of spermatogenesis

3- The expression of adipokines in ovaries and their effect on the processes folliculogenesis and oogenesis

4- Cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of adipokines

5- The roles of adipokines in different physiological states of human reproduction

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Frontiers in Endocrinology

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