The adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathway regulates cell metabolism, inflammation and the immune response. This signalling pathway is essential for maintaining reproductive homeostasis and influencing steroidogenesis, implantation, and embryonic development. The central sensor, AMPK, regulates cell function in response to metabolic stress. The dysregulation of AMPK signalling has been implicated in several female reproductive disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, infertility, and reproductive ageing. This review provides an overview of the role of AMPK in reproductive function and disorders, as well as potential therapeutic targets to restore balance in this signalling pathway. It discusses AMPK signalling in folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, pregnancy maintenance, pre-eclampsia (PE) pathogenesis, PCOS, preterm birth, endometriosis, dysmenorrhoea and other disorders related to female reproduction. A deeper understanding of AMPK signalling in these contexts could provide new insights for the development of therapeutic interventions for reproductive health.

Diabetes mellitus is shown to bring negative effects on male reproductive health due to long-term effects of insulin deficiency or resistance and increased oxidative stress. Ficus carica (FC), an herbal plant, known to have high antioxidant activity and antidiabetic properties, has been used traditionally to treat diabetes. The objective of this study is to determine the potential of the FC leaf extract in improving sperm quality of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic male rats from proteomics perspective. A total of 20 male rats were divided into four groups; normal (nondiabetic rats), negative control (diabetic rats without treatment), positive control (diabetic rats treated with 300 mg/kg metformin), and FC group (diabetic rats treated with 400 mg/kg FC extract). The treatments were given via oral gavage for 21 consecutive days. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) level of FC treated group demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) decrease compared to negative group after 21 days of treatment, as well as a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the sperm quality parameters compared to negative group. Sperm proteomics analysis on FC treated group also exhibited the increase of total protein expression especially the proteins related to fertility compared to negative group. In conclusion, this study clearly justified that FC extract has good potential as antihyperglycemic and profertility agent that may be beneficial for male diabetic patients who have fertility problems.

Moringa oleifera leaves were essential for lowering blood glucose levels and increasing androgen levels. This study evaluates the antihyperglycemic properties of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves aqueous extract and its effect on diabetes-induced male Sprague Dawley rats in attenuating sexual dysfunction. A total of 40 mature male rats were divided into four main groups which were normal control group that received 1 mL of distilled water, the negative control group which did not receive any treatment, positive control group that received 500 mg/kg body weight of metformin, and MO treated group that received 400 mg/kg body weight of Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract. All groups were analyzed after 14 and 21 days for their fasting blood glucose level (FBGL) and sexual behavior (mounting latency and mounting frequency). Analysis of testosterone level was also conducted using the testosterone kit of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data of the treatment group were compared to the control group subjected to one-way ANOVA using IBM SPSS Statistics 22 analysis. The FBGL of diabetes-induced rats treated with Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract significantly decreased (p<0.05) and the plasma testosterone level increased (p<0.05) compared to the negative and positive control groups. Diabetes- induced rats treated with Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract also showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in mounting latency and increase (p<0.05) in mounting frequency within 15 min of the observation period. This study demonstrated that Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract could reduce FBGL significantly and improve the sexual dysfunction of diabetes- induced male rats.

Bees are social insects belonging to the Apidae family, which includes stingless bees, honeybees, and related groups. Their ability to produce various products, such as bee bread, bee pollen, propolis, beeswax, and royal jelly, has attracted scientific interest due to their nutritional composition, biological activities, and potential therapeutic value. Bee bread is a fermented mixture of pollen, honey, and salivary bee enzymes, rich in bioactive compounds with potential benefits for reproductive health and other biological activities. However, bee bread remains one of the least explored bee products in relation to reproductive health. This narrative review summarises the potential health benefits of bee bread from stingless bees for male and female reproductive function. Evidence from animal studies shows that bee bread has promising effects on reproductive function, possibly through its antioxidant properties, support of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis, improvement of pregnancy outcomes, enhancement of ovarian function, regulation of metabolism, and modulation of inflammatory activity. Findings from animal studies suggest potential benefits for both male and female reproductive health. However, well-designed randomised controlled trials are needed to evaluate its efficacy, optimal dosage, safety profile, and long-term effects on reproductive outcomes in both males and females.