Pyroptosis in Patients with Ovarian Dysfunction and Infertility: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics

Pyroptosis is a caspase-dependent, inflammatory programmed form of cell death that is evolutionarily conserved among eukaryotic cells. Increasing evidence indicates that pyroptosis plays significant pathological roles in various human diseases and inflammatory conditions. Infertility, particularly female infertility, and ovarian dysfunction are closely associated with inflammation, with recent findings pinpointing a role for pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of these pathologies. Accordingly, this narrative review aims to provide an updated overview of recent discoveries elucidating the role of pyroptosis in ovarian infertility and related diseases, the underlying molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved, and emerging therapeutic compounds with the potential to inhibit pyroptosis and alleviate ovarian infertility and diseases. In addition, we highlight key research gaps and propose future directions that warrant further investigation.