AUTHOR=Vigil Pilar , Meléndez Jaime , Soto Hugo , Petkovic Grace , Bernal Yanara A. , Molina Santiago 

TITLE=Chronic Stress and Ovulatory Dysfunction: Implications in Times of COVID-19

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Global Women's Health

VOLUME=Volume 3 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/global-womens-health/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2022.866104

DOI=10.3389/fgwh.2022.866104

ISSN=2673-5059

ABSTRACT=Stress has many adverse health effects altering the neuro-endocrine system of human beings. The lockdowns as a consequence of COVID-19 pandemic are a good example of chronic stress. These measures have caused psychological distress and became a source of anxiety/stress, sleep disturbances and altered eating behaviors. Lockdowns have been characterized by the development of negative lifestyles and their consequent metabolic changes. Because women show higher incidence of anxiety and depression disorders, it is of vital importance to learn about the possible impact the lockdown may have on menstrual cycles and ovulation, both of which are known to be affected by endogenous and exogenous factors. The kisspeptinergic system, a set of two populations of neurons located in the hypothalamus, the rostral periventricular region of the third ventricle (RP3V) and arcuate nucleus (ARC) and its mediator, a neuropeptide called kisspeptin plays a critical role in the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. These neurons link nutrition, reproductive signals and stress. During chronic stress conditions the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis inhibits the kisspeptinergic system affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and, in turn, affects ovulation. Additionally, these nutritional changes and weight gain observed during the lockdown will affect the levels of leptin and insulin. The changes in the levels of these hormones will also affect the kisspeptinergic system, GnRH pulsatility and ovulation. In this way, a dysregulation of the corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), key modulator in behavioral responses to stress also contributes to the prevalence of ovulatory disorders and negatively impacts women’s health and wellbeing.