Antioxidants - such as, for example, vitamins C and E - trap and neutralize substances called "active oxygen compounds". After injecting them into the ovaries of mice, it became clear that the level of ovulation dropped significantly
The sale of antioxidant substances is very common today, and is not conditional on presenting a doctor's prescription; They are considered safe to use and are additives in food, beverages and cosmetic products. But in fact, we still do not understand all the effects of these substances on our bodies. Prof. Nava Dekel from the Department of Biological Control at the Weizmann Institute of Science examined this question recently, and discovered, to her surprise, that they may cause fertility difficulties in women.
Antioxidants - such as, for example, vitamins C and E - trap and neutralize substances called "active oxygen compounds". These compounds are produced in the body naturally during regular activity, such as, for example, breathing. In stressful situations, or during vigorous physical activity, the formation of these compounds is increased, and may cause great damage to the body's cells. The antioxidants, which are capable of neutralizing these destructive substances, may, therefore, improve health and slow down the aging processes of cells and tissues.
Prof. Dekel and members of her research group - including former research student Dr. Kati Shkolnik and research student Ari Tadmor - injected antioxidants into the ovaries of mice. The result: the level of ovulation dropped significantly, that is, only a very small number of eggs were released from the ovary and reached the site where fertilization occurs. In order to understand this phenomenon, the scientists sought to find out whether it is possible that the presence of the "harmful" substances - the active oxygen compounds - is actually a condition for the existence of normal ovulation. Further experiments in mice showed that this is indeed the case. In one experiment, for example, the scientists compared the effect of the ovulation hormone to the effect of hydrogen peroxide, which is a type of active oxygen compound. The results of the experiment showed that hydrogen peroxide successfully "mimics" the activity of the hormone.
These findings - recently published in the scientific journal "Records of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA" (PNAS) - imply the possibility that active oxygen compounds - which are formed in response to the signal transmitted by the ovulation hormone - are not only harmless, but also act as mediators in its physiological activity.
These findings will help, among other things, to complete the picture of reproduction and fertility processes, which has been taking shape in recent years, and according to which it seems that they share a number of common mechanisms with inflammation processes. Prof. Dekel says that it is likely that antioxidants that are used as anti-inflammatories in certain areas of the body are also an obstacle to normal ovulation, so one should be more careful when taking these substances.
Many of Prof. Dekel's studies focus on fertility, and findings obtained in her previous studies are currently helping many women to become pregnant. Ironically, her new discovery may serve the opposite purpose. Prof. Dekel: "On the one hand, these findings may warn against the uncontrolled use of antioxidants, thus helping women who have difficulty getting pregnant. On the other hand, further studies may show that certain antioxidants may be used as more effective preventive measures than the current measures, which are based on hormones."
Prof. Dekel and the members of her research group are currently planning additional studies in order to clarify how, when and where the antioxidants affect ovulation, and to test their effect on the mice when they are given in food or drink. In addition, they plan to collect data on a possible link between taking antioxidant supplements by women, and difficulty conceiving.
3 תגובות
To Mr. Yehuda - don't jump to conclusions - this is a rather immature experiment - before you go to give people advice on what to take and what not to take - in the experiment they injected an amount (which is also not specified here) directly into the ovaries - how do you know if the body when it receives the vitamins through The digestive system - how does it dose the amount that will enter the ovaries - after all, the body knows that it works with free radicals (active oxygen compounds) and accordingly it knows how to regulate the dose that it will put into the ovaries of various antioxidants, it's not that I'm in favor of people just taking tamin, it's better for them to consume This is a healthy diet, but not to jump to unfounded and rather immature conclusions and start giving people advice because of something you read that doesn't currently indicate anything (from the public's point of view)
Nevertheless, Mr. Mahmoud, you would not expect us to do such an experiment with women, but if it is true in mice, there is much reason to worry that it will be the same in women.
The next experiment to be done is to take two groups of women, preferably identical twins, and give one group antioxidants and the other not and see if there are significant differences in the level of ovulation.
Believe me Mr. Mahmoud that the statement that the Weizmann Institute behaves like a tabloid has nothing to rely on.
I am preparing for knowledge on the subject of anyone who takes vitamins without an account
Good day Mahmoud
Sabdarmish Yehuda
The title: Weizmann Institute scientists discovered: Antioxidants cause fertility problems in women
False: The research was done in mice, it should be: "Antioxidants cause fertility problems in mice" but who cares, then they invent.
The title: after injecting them into the embryos of mice, it became clear that the level of ovulation dropped significantly
Lies: Fetuses of mice do not ovulate, the ovulation level is zero, and if you drop, you will get a negative ovulation level.
Even if we think there may be a spelling mistake and the reference is to the mice carrying the embryos but they also do not ovulate since they are pregnant. Any attempt to understand the title will encounter a well-fortified logical barrier.
The Weizmann Institute is considered a serious institute and not a tabloid looking for headlines and press releases
It is not understandable why the respected professor agrees to have nonsense written about him.