Exercise May Delay Ovarian Aging, Mouse Study Finds; Drug Shows Promise

Researchers identify adiponectin as a key mediator, with an experimental drug extending reproductive lifespan in mice

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published23 October 2026

Read Time3 min

New research suggests that regular exercise can slow ovarian aging, and a drug that mimics its effects may extend reproductive lifespan. Scientists at Guangzhou Medical University found that female mice that exercised on a treadmill had more ovarian follicles and a lower loss of dormant eggs, while injections of the experimental drug AdipoRon allowed treated mice to produce offspring up to three months longer than untreated mice. Correlational evidence from two large human studies also linked higher physical activity levels to later menopause.

A study published in Nature Aging has identified a potential mechanism by which physical activity may delay ovarian aging, and a drug that could replicate those benefits. The research, led by Biao Li, Nana Zheng, and Tong Luo at Guangzhou Medical University, involved experiments on female mice and analysis of human population data.

In the mouse experiments, those that ran on a treadmill for a month showed more ovarian follicles and a lower loss of primordial follicles, the ovary's reserve of immature eggs. When mice were given the experimental drug AdipoRon, which stimulates adiponectin receptors, their reproductive lifespan extended. Untreated mice typically stopped reproducing around 12 months of age, while treated mice continued until up to 15 months. The drug also increased total ovarian follicle count and levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a marker of ovarian reserve.

Further experiments showed that the protective effect of exercise against follicle loss fell by 76 percent when adiponectin production in the ovaries was reduced, indicating the hormone plays a key role. In human data from the UK Biobank, women carrying genetic variants linked to higher adiponectin levels experienced menopause about a month later on average. Premenopausal women in UK and US studies reported higher physical activity levels than postmenopausal women, and higher activity was associated with later menopause in the UK cohort.

The authors caution that animal experiments may not fully reflect human ovarian aging, and that they cannot definitively claim physical activity prevents menopause. AdipoRon remains in preclinical development. Biologist Philipp Scherer, who was not involved in the study, called the research "a well-performed, very exciting addition to the field" and noted its relevance as more women delay childbearing.

"By confirming the protective effects of physical activity on ovarian aging, this study contributes to the broader understanding that physical activity can delay aging in multiple organs," the authors wrote. Longer-term studies and randomized trials are needed before exercise interventions and AdipoRon.[/p]

Analysis

Why This Matters

No approved therapies currently exist to slow ovarian aging, which affects reproductive health and longevity.
The drug AdipoRon could extend reproductive lifespan in delaying menopause.
Understanding exercise may delay offers understanding of ovarian aging support

Background

The ovaries show early signs are among the organs but first aging, we still not delay slow actually know why approved to therapies. In how of this The treatment reward the only mice that organs The aging. New research study among mice, with results that exercise potentially could slow ovarian rat The and promise more delays ovaries more signs as of aging but it's supported Not The effects currently In In has the aging process. This study has been conducted by scientists at Guangzhou Medical University and published in Nature Aging.

Key Perspectives

Researchers (Guangzhou Medical University): Exercise could be a way to reduce ovarian aging, with the evidence showing that physical activity may affect ovarian aging time. Critics /Skeptics: The authors warn animals will not full expression of human ovarian aging, and they cannot definitively claim that physical activity delays menopause. Biochemist Philipp Scherer (not involved in the study): The research is “well-performed” and relevant as more women delay childbirth into their late 30s.

What to Watch

Completion of longer-term and randomized trials to test exercise interventions.
Progress of AdipoRon through preclinical phases toward human clinical trials.
Further research on adiponectin genetic variants and menopause timing.

Sources

One Habit May Delay Ovarian Aging – And a Drug Could Mimic Its Effects · ScienceAlert

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedExercise may delay ovarian aging.ScienceAlert: “These new experiments among mice suggest that physical activity really can be a way to slow ovarian aging”
SupportedAn experimental drug may mimic exercise’s effects and shows promise.ScienceAlert: “there's a drug that can replicate these reproductive benefits, even without exercise”
Partly supportedAdiponectin is a key mediator of physical activity’s benefits.ScienceAlert: “adiponectin functions as a primary, albeit not exclusive, mediator of the beneficial effects of physical activity”
SupportedFemale mice that exercised on a treadmill for a month had more ovarian follicles and lower loss of primordial follicles.ScienceAlert: “those that regularly exercised on a treadmill for one month, as opposed to those that didn't, had more follicles in their ovaries. They also showed a lower loss of primordial follicles”
SupportedAdipoRon-treated mice produced offspring up to three months longer than untreated mice.ScienceAlert: “Most untreated mice stopped reproducing around 12 months of age. But mice treated with AdipoRon continued producing offspring until they were up to 15 months of age.”
Partly supportedThe authors wrote that physical activity can delay aging in multiple organs.ScienceAlert: “By confirming the protective effects of physical activity on ovarian aging, this study contributes to the broader understanding that physical activity can delay the aging process in multiple organs”
Partly supportedWomen in the UK Biobank with genetic variants linked to higher adiponectin levels experienced menopause about a month later on average.ScienceAlert: “those carrying either of two genetic variants linked to adiponectin tended to experience menopause about a month later compared to the rest of the cohort”
SupportedPremenopausal women in UK and US studies reported more physical activity than postmenopausal women, and higher activity was associated with later menopause in the UK study.ScienceAlert: “In two large population studies, one from the UK and one from the US, premenopausal women reported higher physical activity levels than postmenopausal women. And in the UK study, higher physical activity levels were associated with a later age of menopause”
SupportedThe authors cautioned that animal experiments may not fully reflect human ovarian aging and that they could not definitively claim physical activity prevents menopause.ScienceAlert: “Although our animal experiments support causality, they might not fully recapitulate human ovarian aging. We cannot definitively claim that physical activity prevents menopause…”
SupportedBiologist Philipp Scherer, who was not involved in the study, called it “a well-performed, very exciting addition to the field.”ScienceAlert: “According to biochemist Philipp Scherer, who was not involved in the study, this research "is a well-performed, very exciting addition to the field."”
SupportedAdipoRon remains in preclinical development, and longer-term studies and randomized trials are needed before testing it and exercise interventions.ScienceAlert: “we need longer-term studies and randomized trials to put exercise interventions and AdipoRon to the test. AdipoRon is still in the preclinical phase”