Menopause brings well-known changes like weight gain and hot flashes, alongside increased risks for cardiovascular, metabolic, and bone diseases. Researchers at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) have now developed the first large-scale atlas of female reproductive system aging, utilizing artificial intelligence to map these shifts.
The study analyzed tissue images and gene expression data from 304 women aged 20 to 70, reconstructing the aging process across seven key reproductive organs: uterus, ovary, vagina, cervix, breast, and Fallopian tubes.
Using advanced image recognition and deep learning on the MareNostrum 5 supercomputer, scientists discovered that organs age at different rates. Ovaries and the vagina show gradual aging starting before menopause, while the uterus undergoes more sudden changes around this period. Even within organs, tissues like the uterine mucosa and muscular layer age asynchronously.
Marta Melé, director of the study, stated that menopause acts as a turning point, profoundly reorganizing reproductive tissues and identifying key genes and molecular processes behind these changes.
Furthermore, the research identified molecular signals in blood samples from over 21,000 women that could serve as non-invasive biomarkers for monitoring reproductive organ health. This development paves the way for personalized medicine and simpler clinical tools to track women's health, potentially anticipating risks like pelvic floor complications without invasive biopsies.