DefinePK

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome can be defined as an endocrine disorder that most affects the reproductive system of women of childbearing age; its causes are not exactly known. However, the majority of the experts agree that it is a multifactorial entity with multiple factors. Genetics is becoming increasingly important. In recent years, several genes that are involved in the pathogenic processes of this syndrome have been identified. Within these, the most important ones are the ones that encode steroidogenesis enzymes and insulin receptors, as well as other hormones that are associated with the actions of insulin and gonadotropins and their receptors. The results obtained included 1) women with PCOS had significantly lower levels of adiponectin compared to controls. Adiponectin levels were significantly lower in both lean and obese women with PCOS compared to the control group. 2) PCOS women had significantly higher levels of LH, FSH, LH/FSH ratio, and total testosterone compared to controls. 3) Both lean and obese PCOS women had significantly higher levels of LH, LH/FSH ratio, and total testosterone compared to the control group, however, FSH levels were significantly increased only in obese PCOS women compared to controls. 4) PCOS women had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol compared to controls. 5) Both lean and obese PCOS women had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL cholesterol compared to controls. Only obese PCOS women had significantly lower levels of HDL-cholesterol compared to the controls. 6) The genotype analysis of FSHR gene polymorphism showed that the heterozygote Ala/Thr genotype was significantly more frequent in PCOS patients than in controls (64.1% versus 40%).