International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2013-01-01

Angiotensin-converting enzymes play a dominant role in fertility.

Pei-Pei Pan, Qi-Tao Zhan, Fang Le, Ying-Ming Zheng, Fan Jin

Index: Int. J. Mol. Sci. 14(10) , 21071-86, (2013)

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Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, infertility, associated with metabolic syndrome, has become a global issue with a 10%-20% incidence worldwide. An accumulating body of evidence has shown that the renin-angiotensin system is involved in the fertility problems observed in some populations. Moreover, alterations in the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-1, angiotensin-converting enzyme-2, and angiotensin-converting enzyme-3 might be one of the most important mechanisms underlying both female and male infertility. However, as a pseudogene in humans, further studies are needed to explore whether the abnormal angiotensin-converting enzyme-3 gene could result in the problems of human reproduction. In this review, the relationship between angiotensin-converting enzymes and fertile ability is summarized, and a new procedure for the treatment of infertility is discussed.