It is widely recognized that bi-directional communication exists between the human oocyte and cumulus cells (CCs) which is essential for the production of competent oocytes. CCs originate from granulosa cells (GCs) which differentiate into mural GCs and CCs during follicular antrum formation. CCs are biologically distinct from other follicular cells and perform specialized roles, transmitting signals within the ovary and supporting oocyte growth and maturation during the later stages of follicular development. This review details the results of transcriptomic analysis of CCs and considers what this data can teach us about the biology of CCs and their interactions with the oocyte. We also explore the potential for the gene expression data to reveal novel biomarkers of oocyte quality and assist the optimization of assisted reproductive technologies.

In a society where women often want successful careers and equal opportunities to men, the early nature of ovarian aging often forces women to make difficult life choices between career and family development. Fertility in women begins to decline after the age of 37 years and it is rare for pregnancies to occur after 45. This reproductive decline in women is inevitable and culminates in menopause, which is a major driver of age-related diseases. In a world where biomedical advances are leading to modifiable biological outcomes, it is time to focus on mitigating female reproductive senescence to maintain fertility and preserve age-related hormonal functions, with the goal of providing increased life choices and enhancing healthspan. To date, reproductive longevity research remains an understudied field. More needs to be done to unravel the biology of the ovarian follicles, which are the functional units of reproductive lifespan and are comprised of cell types including the oocyte (female gamete) and a group of specialized supporting somatic cells. Biological attempts to maintain the quality and quantity of follicles in animal models through manipulating pathways involved in aging can potentially prolong female reproductive lifespan and healthspan. Here, we summarize the molecular events driving ovarian aging and menopause and the interventional strategies to offset these events. Developing solutions to female reproductive senescence will open doors to discover ways to enhance true healthy longevity for both men and women.

Few studies have examined the associations between sleep duration, shiftwork, and exercise to the infrequent menstruation, hyperandrogenism, and ovarian morphological changes observed in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). To examine whether lifestyle factors, including short sleep duration, insufficient exercise, and shiftwork, alone or in combination, are associated with the reproductive and metabolic abnormalities typical of PCOS in a healthy population. Prospective cross-sectional study of 231 women, including healthcare workers recruited for an annual health screen, healthy referral patients from the Women’s Clinic and volunteers from the university community at the National University Hospital, Singapore, from 2011 to 2015. The women completed a questionnaire, including their menstrual cycle length, sleep length, frequency of exercise and shift work. Hyperandrogenism (hirsutism score, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)), ovarian morphology and function (anthral follicle count, ovarian volume, anti-mullerian hormone (AMH)), and metabolic measures (body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure, fasting glucose, fasting insulin and fasting lipids) were examined through anthropometric measurements, transvaginal ultrasound scans, and blood tests. No significant associations were observed between shift work, exercise or sleep duration and the androgenic and ovarian measures that define PCOS. However, women reporting fewer than 6 hours of sleep were more likely to report abnormal (short or long) menstrual cycle lengths (OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.2). Women who reported fewer than 6 hours of sleep had increased fasting insulin levels (difference in means = 2.13; 95% CI, 0.27 to 3.99 mU/L) and higher odds of insulin resistance (OR = 2.58; CI, 1.16 to 5.76). Lack of regular exercise was associated with higher mean fasting insulin (difference in means = 2.3 mU/L; 95% CI, 0.5 to 4.1) and HOMA-IR (difference in means = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.90) levels. Women with insufficient sleep are at increased risk of menstrual disturbances and insulin resistance, but do not have the hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovarian morphology typical of PCOS. Improved sleep duration may help reduce the risks of diabetes or infertility. Shift work, exercise or sleep duration appear not to impact the androgenic and ovarian measures that define PCOS.

The outbreak of COVID‐19 has precipitated international lockdown measures to curb disease transmissions. The closure of public activity spaces as well as changes in pandemic workload may disrupt healthcare workers' physical activity and self‐care routines. We sought to examine the association between physical activity levels and mental health burden of healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 lockdown in Singapore. This cross‐sectional study comprised of an multidomain survey that was administered digitally to 707 healthcare workers between 17 May and 18 June 2020. Exercise frequency, duration and intensity of these healthcare workers had reduced significantly during the lockdown compared to pre‐lockdown. 25.3%, 37.2%, and 11.9% had screened positive for moderate‐to‐extremely‐severe depression, anxiety and stress respectively. Reductions in exercise duration was a significant risk factor for mild stress and moderate‐to‐severe depression while increase in exercise frequency was found to be a protective factor against depressed mood. Our study revealed that a short‐term reduction in physical activity levels during lockdown was associated with poorer psychological outcomes. Given the protection that exercise confers on depression, physical activity should be promoted at the workplace and at home to support healthcare workers to cope through this protracted health crisis.