Galactose metabolism and ovarian toxicity

Galactose is an energy-providing nutrient and also a necessary basic substr ate for the biosynthesis of many macromolecules in the body. Metabolic path ways for galactose are important not only for the provision of these pathwa ys but also for the prevention of galactose and galactose metabolite accumu lation. Problems with galactose metabolism can cause a variety of clinical manifestations in animals and humans. It has been found that the mammalian ovary is particularly susceptible to damage from the accumulation of galact ose and galactose metabolites. The galactose metabolites Gal-1-P, galactito l, and UDPgal are all considered to be important in this toxicity and propo sed mechanisms include interference with ovarian apoptosis and gonadotrophi n signaling. This review addresses the most recent scientific findings rega rding the possible mechanisms of galactose-induced ovarian toxicity and als o the possible protective role of hormonal and antioxidant therapy. In addi tion, the available epidemiologic and scientific evidence linking galactose intake with risk of ovarian cancer is discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.