Sleep Deprivation Triggers the Excessive Activation of Ovarian Primordial Follicles via β2 Adrenergic Receptor Signaling

Abstract

Sleep deprivation (SD) is observed to adversely affect the reproductive health of women. However, its precise physiological mechanisms remain largely elusive. In this study, using a mouse model of SD, it is demonstrated that SD induces the depletion of ovarian primordial follicles, a phenomenon not attributed to immune‐mediated attacks or sympathetic nervous system activation. Rather, the excessive secretion of stress hormones, namely norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E), by overactive adrenal glands, has emerged as a key mediator. The communication pathway mediated by the KIT ligand (KITL)‐KIT between granulosa cells and oocytes plays a pivotal role in primordial follicle activation. SD heightened the levels of NE/E that stimulates the activation of the KITL‐KIT/PI3K and mTOR signaling cascade in an β2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2)‐dependent manner, thereby promoting primordial follicle activation and consequent primordial follicle loss in vivo. In vitro experiments further corroborate these observations, revealing that ADRB2 upregulates KITL expression in granulosa cells via the activation of the downstream cAMP/PKA pathway. Together, these results reveal the significant involvement of ADRB2 signaling in the depletion of ovarian primordial follicles under sleep‐deprived conditions. Additionally, ADRB2 antagonists are proposed for the treatment or prevention of excessive activation of primordial follicles induced by SD.