Aging is a complex feature and involves loss of multiple functions and nonreversible phenotypes. However, several studies suggest it is possible to protect against aging and promote rejuvenation. Aging is associated with many factors, such as telomere shortening, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and loss of homeostasis. The integrity of the cytoskeleton is associated with several cellular functions, such as migration, proliferation, degeneration, and mitochondrial bioenergy production, and chronic disorders, including neuronal degeneration and premature aging. Cytoskeletal integrity is closely related with several functional activities of cells, such as aging, proliferation, degeneration, and mitochondrial bioenergy production. Therefore, regulation of cytoskeletal integrity may be useful to elicit antiaging effects and to treat degenerative diseases, such as dementia. The actin cytoskeleton is dynamic because its assembly and disassembly change depending on the cellular status. Aged cells exhibit loss of cytoskeletal stability and decline in functional activities linked to longevity. Several studies reported that improvement of cytoskeletal stability can recover functional activities. In particular, microtubule stabilizers can be used to treat dementia. Furthermore, studies of the quality of aged oocytes and embryos revealed a relationship between cytoskeletal integrity and mitochondrial activity. This review summarizes the links of cytoskeletal properties with aging and degenerative diseases and how cytoskeletal integrity can be modulated to elicit antiaging and therapeutic effects.

In reproduction, mitochondria produce bioenergy, help to synthesize biomolecules, and support the ovaries, oogenesis, and preimplantation embryos, thereby facilitating healthy live births. However, the regulatory mechanism of mitochondria in oocytes and embryos during oogenesis and embryo development has not been clearly elucidated. The functional activity of mitochondria is crucial for determining the quality of oocytes and embryos; therefore, the underlying mechanism must be better understood. In this review, we summarize the specific role of mitochondria in reproduction in oocytes and embryos. We also briefly discuss the recovery of mitochondrial function in gametes and zygotes. First, we introduce the general characteristics of mitochondria in cells, including their roles in adenosine triphosphate and reactive oxygen species production, calcium homeostasis, and programmed cell death. Second, we present the unique characteristics of mitochondria in female reproduction, covering the bottleneck theory, mitochondrial shape, and mitochondrial metabolic pathways during oogenesis and preimplantation embryo development. Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with ovarian aging, a diminished ovarian reserve, a poor ovarian response, and several reproduction problems in gametes and zygotes, such as aneuploidy and genetic disorders. Finally, we briefly describe which factors are involved in mitochondrial dysfunction and how mitochondrial function can be recovered in reproduction. We hope to provide a new viewpoint regarding factors that can overcome mitochondrial dysfunction in the field of reproductive medicine.

Current therapeutic medicines for endometriosis cannot be administered during assisted reproductive technology (ART) because they have bad effects during pregnancy. In this study, we created an animal model of endometriosis and evaluated the therapeutic effect of progestin (Dienogest), dopamine agonist (Cabergoline), and their combination (Dienogest + Cabergoline). We established a mouse model mimicking human endometriosis. The mice with endometriosis were then treated with a single drug (Dienogest or Cabergoline) or both drugs (Dienogest + Cabergoline) for 14 days. An immunohistological study was then performed to analyze inflammatory lesions in the recipient mice. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were also performed to determine the levels of genes and proteins in inflammatory lesions to assess the recovery of endometriosis. Histologic staining showed that all medication groups showed a clear decrease in the inflammatory phenotype in the uterus, peritoneum, and intestine. Gene and protein expression analysis showed a therapeutic effect in all medication groups. In conclusion, Cabergoline had a therapeutic effect similar to that of Dienogest and could be used as an alternative to Dienogest during ART for patients with infertility; compared to the individual drugs, the combination treatment has a synergistic effect on endometriosis.