摘要端粒是染色体末端的一个特殊结构,由一段重复序列的端粒DNA和结合蛋白组成的一个复合体.对于维持染色体稳定和避免染色体被核酸酶降解等方面起着重要的作用.端粒长度随着细胞的分裂不断缩短,被认为是生物学年龄的标记物.端粒酶则是能合成端粒DNA的酶,使得端粒的长度和结构得以维持,来保证染色体的完整性.而女性和男性生殖功能随年龄增长,呈现出不同下降趋势.本文就近年来有关染色体端粒长度及端粒酶活性变化与人类生育能力的相关研究进行综述,为进一步探讨人类生育能力下降原因提供研究线索.

abstractsTelomeres are located at the ends of chromosomes comprising a repeating sequence and associated proteins . Telomeres are mainly involved in chromosome stabilization , protecting them from end-to-end fusion or degradation . Telomeres become shorter with every cell division . This progressive telomere shortening constitutes a "molecular clock" that underlies cellular aging . Telomerase is an enzyme that syn-thesizes telomeres and maintains the length and structure of telomeres to ensure the integrity of chromo-somes . However , the reproductive function of women shows a different trend of decline from men with ag-ing . This paper reviews recent studies on the change in telomere length and the fertility of human beings , and provides some clues for further research on the causes of human fertility decline .