How Dysbiosis Disrupts Hormonal Health, Ovulation, and Egg Quality From the Inside Out — section

These cytokines are profoundly disruptive to steroidogenesis. TNF-&#945; has been shown to suppress FSH-stimulated CYP19A1 expression and reduce aromatase activity in granulosa cells. IL-1&#946; further amplifies follicular dysfunction through induction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species within the oocyte itself, impairing mitochondrial membrane potential, damaging mitochondrial DNA, and destabilizing meiotic spindle integrity. The follicle effectively loses its ability to maintain a healthy estrogenic environment.