Association between Metal(loid)Exposure and Risk of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mediated by Anti-Müllerian Hormone among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

Objective To investigate the relationship and potential pathways between metal(loid)exposure and the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)in women of childbearing age.Methods This case-control study included 200 patients with PCOS(cases)and 896 non-PCOS controls with the age of 25-37 years.The concentrations of 29 metal(loid)s in the follicular fluid(FF)and clinical indicators in the serum were measured in all participants.Logistic regression analysis and mediation analysis were conducted to evaluate the associations between metal(loid)exposure and PCOS risk and investigate the possible roles of clinical indicators,respectively.Results Logistic regression analysis revealed an association between high copper levels in FF and increased PCOS risk(highest vs.lowest quartile:adjusted odds ratio=2.94,95%confidence interval:1.83-4.72).A high luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio and elevated levels of testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH)were strongly associated with increased PCOS risk induced by high copper exposure.The mediation analysis indicated a mediating effect of AMH in the association between copper exposure and PCOS risk.Conclusion Copper may affect PCOS risk through the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis,mediated by AMH.Copper exposure and internal AMH levels are important indicators for early warning of PCOS development.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Exploring Its Impact on Obstetrical Outcomes

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) disrupts ovulation leading to both infertility and miscarriage;yet, its impact on obstetrical outcomes remains largely uncertain due to conflicting findings. We analyzed data from the CDC Pregnancy Risk Assessment of Monitoring System, specifically Standard Core and Phase 8 responses, with 9549 respondents across the United States through SPSS 28 software in this cross-sectional study. Two variables assessed PCOS status in respondents: history of PCOS and PCOS during pregnancy. With a history of PCOS, there were significantly increased odds of diabetic (OR 1.665, p < 0.001), hypertensive disorders (OR 1.589, p < 0.001) during pregnancy, neonatal mortality (OR 1.550, p < 0.001), cesarean section (C/S) (OR 1.489, p < 0.001), and preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) (OR 2.081, p < 0.001). With PCOS diagnosed during pregnancy, there were significantly greater odds of diabetes (OR 3.278, p < 0.001), hypertensive disorders (OR 2.935, p < 0.001) during pregnancy, and significantly decreased risk for small for gestational age (2 standard deviations) (OR 0.337, p = 0.024). PCOS is a significant risk factor that contributes to maternal morbidity. Our results support the hypothesis that PCOS’ impact extends well into a woman’s obstetrical journey, with varying degrees of associated adverse maternal and fetal risks. Preliminary pathophysiologic explanations associated with PCOS gestational diabetes include pre-existing insulin resistance. Meanwhile, altered placentation and endovascular changes associated with PCOS secondary to a baseline deranged metabolic environment predispose patients to developing hypertensive disorders, PPROM, and preterm delivery. Associations between neonatal mortality and C/S can be attributed to elevated maternal body mass index. The pathophysiologic link between PCOS and the above obstetrical outcomes still remains unknown, necessitating further investigation;however, this study identifies the outcomes that require the most attention at this time.

Association between the Different Phenotypes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Outcome in in Vitro Fertilization at Human Reproductive Center Paul et Chantal Biya-Yaoundé

Background: In Vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (IVF/ICSI) represents the final step in the management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Our objective was to study the association between PCOS phenotypes and IVF/ICSI results in women admitted to Gynaecological Endoscopic Surgery and Human Reproductive Teaching Hospital (CHRACERH). Material and Method: We carried out a cohort study with historical-prospective data collection over a period of seven years (January 2016 to March 2023) at Chracerh. PCOS patients were subdivided into 4 subgroups A, B, C and D. Results: We recruited 128 patients including 64 PCOS patients divided into four phenotypes and 64 non-PCOS patients constituting the control group. Phenotype D without hyperandrogenism had used the lowest dose of gonadotropins, i.e. 1939.7 ± 454.3 IU, and had produced a greater quantity of estradiol on the day ovulation was triggered (6529.8 ± 4324.8 ng/ml). The average number of punctured follicles and mature oocytes were higher in the phenotype D group. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occurred mainly in phenotype D (3/35), with an estimated prevalence of 2.3%. The fertilization rate seemed lower in the hyperandrogenic phenotypes A, B, C compared to the group without hyperandrogenism without significant difference (p = 0.461). The biological pregnancy rate and live birth rate were comparable between the different groups. Conclusion: Phenotype D used less dose of gonadotropins. Biological pregnancy and live birth rates were comparable between the different phenotypes.

Adult-Type Granulosa Cell Tumor with Similar Clinical Findings Seen during Ovarian Cystectomy Performed at the Same Time as Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: An Extremely Rare Case

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a major cause of anovulatory infertility. Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) is a treatment for PCOS that allows the laparoscopic identification of other intra-abdominal lesions and the provision of diagnostic treatment. This study reports a case of PCOS with an ovarian mass in which LOD was aggressively used and a granulosa cell tumor (GCT) was found. A 34-year-old woman with secondary amenorrhea and irregular menstrual cycles presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain of unknown etiology. Imaging studies revealed a 6-cm left ovarian mass with an internal appearance suggestive of a hemorrhage. The patient’s secondary amenorrhea was subsequently diagnosed as PCOS, and LOD was performed to preserve her fertility. Simultaneously, a cystectomy was performed to evaluate the tumor in the left ovary;the diagnosis was adult-type GCT. Although concomitant GCT and PCOS are extremely rare, the two conditions have similar clinical manifestations. In women of reproductive age, the impact of surgery on future fertility should be considered, and the initial surgical technique should be chosen carefully.

Clinical Study on the Therapeutic Effect of Combined Traditional Chinese Medicine with Acupoint Injection and Herbal Paste Application in Treating Ovulatory Dysfunction in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of combined traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy with acupoint injection and herbal patch application on patients with ovulatory dysfunction associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: A total of 80 PCOS patients who received treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine between October 2022 and March 2024 were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into a control group (n = 40) and an observation group (n = 40). The control group received conventional Western medical treatments, while the observation group was administered TCM combined with acupoint injection and herbal patch application. Pre- and post-treatment conditions were compared between the two groups. Results: After treatment, the overall effective rate was significantly higher in the observation group compared to the control group (P 0.05). Following treatment, both ovulation and pregnancy rates increased in both groups, but the increase was more evident in the observation group, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). Conclusion: For patients with oligoovulation or anovulation due to PCOS, the combined use of TCM, acupoint injection, and herbal patch application appears to be effective in improving systemic symptoms and achieving notable clinical outcomes.

Exploring the medication pattern and mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine in treating polycystic ovary syndrome with kidney deficiency and blood stasis based on data mining and network pharmacology

Background:Using network pharmacology to explore the potential molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treating polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.Method:Collect the related literature materials of PCOS with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome treated by traditional Chinese medicine in four databases in recent ten years,extract the information of prescriptions and complete the frequency analysis.Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database was used to screen out the effective components.Use Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man and other databases to screen PCOS disease targets.The intersection targets obtained by clustering prescription and PCOS disease targets were submitted to STRING database for protein-protein interaction network analysis,and Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were analysed by Metascape.Result:There are 155 kinds of traditional Chinese medicines used in the literature.The most commonly utilized ones are Cuscutae Semen,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata.The results of the cluster analysis indicated that the plants most commonly found throughout the prescription were Leonuri Herba,Lycopi Herba,Dipsaci Radix,etc.GO results show that biological processes include cell reaction to organic nitrogen compounds and cell reaction to nitrogen compounds.The functional display of GO molecule includes cytokine receptor binding,signal receptor regulator activity and so on.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes results show that the possible mechanisms of action are cancer pathway,an endocrine resistance signal pathway.Conclusion:Through data mining,the cluster prescription for PCOS with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome is Leonuri Herba,Lycopi Herba,Dipsaci Radix,etc.The network pharmacology research of cluster prescription shows that the main drug components for treating PCOS with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome are quercetin,kaempferol,luteolin,tanshinone IIA,etc.,which act on PTGS2,NCOA2,and other targets,and treat PCOS with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome through cancer and endocrine resistance.

Defining the role of bariatric surgery in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women.To meet PCOS criteria,women must have a combination of hyperandrogenism,anovulation and ultrasound findings.Almost 10% of all reproductive age women worldwide show signs of PCOS.Although women often seek care for gynecological or body image concerns,many PCOS women are at risk for metabolic syndrome (MS).Many of the metabolic consequences are overlooked and un-dertreated by physicians because these patients tend to be young,reproductive age women.MS and obesity coexist commonly with PCOS.These young women are predisposed to glucose abnormalities and ulti-mately diabetes mellitus,dyslipidemia and eventually cardiovascular disease.Bariatric surgery can be an ef-fective means of weight loss in PCOS women.Surgical techniques have become safer and less invasive over time and have been found to be effective in achieving significant weight loss.Surgical options have also in-creased,giving patients more choices.Bariatric surgery may prevent or reverse metabolic syndrome.Bariatric surgery may also have reproductive benefits in PCOS patients.Although bariatric surgery has historically been performed in older,reproductive aged women,it has recently gained favor in adolescents as well.This is of particular importance due to the prevalence of both PCOS and MS in adolescents.Treatment of PCOS and MS certainly requires a combination of medical therapy,psychological support and lifestyle modifications.These treatments are difficult and often frustrating for pa-tients and physicians.Bariatric surgery can be effective in achieving significant weight loss,restoration of the hypothalamic pituitary axis,reduction of cardiovascular risk and even in improving pregnancy outcomes.Ulti-mately,bariatric surgery should be considered part of the treatment in PCOS women,especially in those with MS.

Review of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women. Women with PCOS frequently have metabolic complications including insulin resistance(IR), early diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Recent studies have demonstrated an association between PCOS and another metabolic complication: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). NAFLD occurs as a result of abnormal lipid handling by the liver, which sensitizes the liver to injury and inflammation. It can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH), which is characterized by hepatocyte injury and apoptosis. With time and further inflammation, NASH can progress to cirrhosis. Thus, given the young age at which NAFLD may occur in PCOS, these women may be at significant risk for progressive hepatic injury over the course of their lives. Many potential links between PCOS and NAFLD have been proposed, most notably IR and hyperandrogenemia. Further studies are needed to clarify the association between PCOS and NAFLD. In the interim, clinicians should be aware of this connection and consider screening for NAFLD in PCOS patients who have other metabolic risk factors. The optimal method of screening is unknown. However, measuring alanine aminotransferase and/or obtaining ultrasound on high-risk patients can be considered. First line treatment consists of lifestyle interventions and weight loss, with possible pharmacologic interventions in some cases.

Correlation between IL-1β,IL-1Ra gene polymorphism and occurrence of polycystic ovary syndrome infertility

Objective:To explore the relationship between IL-1β.IL-1Ra gene polymorphism and the occurrence of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) infertility.Methods:A total of 59 PCOS infertility cases visiling the reproductive center of our hospital from Mar.2010 to Mar.2012 and 56 healthy women were selected.ELISA method was used lor the detection of IL-1β.IL-1Ra lewis,and the levels of serum supersensitivity C reaction protein(US-CRP).insulin(FINS),follieule-stimulating hormone(FSH) and fasting blood—glucose(FRG) were detected.PCR analysis technology was adopted to detect the gene polymorphism of the.511 site of IL-1βand the second introne of IL- 1Ra.Results:The levels of IL-1β.IL-1Ra.US-CRP.FINS and FBG in blood scrum of patients in PCOS group were significantly higher than those in control group(P【0.05 or P【0.01).The level of FSH in PCOS group was significantly lower than that in control group(P【0.05).The genotypic frequency of T/T.the 511 site of IL-1βin PCOS group was 42.37%.significantly higher than 1250%in control group 【P【0.01).The frequency of T allele was also significantly higher than that in control group(P【0.01).The genotypic frequency ofⅠ/Ⅴ.the second introne of IL-1Ra in PCOS group was 20.34%,signicianlly higher than 3.57%in control group(P【0.05).The frequency of V allele in PCOS group was significantly higher than that in control group(P【0.05).Conclusions: T allele of the 511 site of IL-1βgene and V allele of the second inlrone of IL-1Ra gene might be the genetic basis of the rising of IL-1β.IL-1Ra and US-CRP levels in blood serum of PCOS patients,and are associated with the infertility occurrence of PCOS patients.

Expression of Leptin Long-form Receptor mRNA in Luteinized Granulosa Cells of Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

To investigate the expression of mRNA of leptin long-form receptor （OB-Rb） in luteinized granulosa ceils of obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）, and to determine the role of leptin in the physiopathology of PCOS, luteinized granulosa cells were collected from the follicle fluid of 10 obese women who met the diagnostic criteria for PCOS and their BMI was equal to or greater than 25 kg/m^2, and at the same time, granulosa cells were collected from 10 normal women undergoing IVF-ET who served as the control group. Some luteinized granulosa cells were taken from normal women for in-vitro culture, into which human leptin of different concentrations was added （0, 10, 100 and 1000 ng/mL）. After stimulation with leptin for 48 h, RT-PCR was employed for the detection of the expression of OB-RLInRNA in the luteinized granulosa cells. Our results showed that the level of OB-RLmRNA in luteinized granulosa cells of obese PCOS women was higher than those in the control （P〈0.05）. In luteinized granulosa cells cultured in vitro and stimulated by human leptin for 48 h, the level of OB-RLmRNA was higher than those without leptin stimulation （P〈0.01）, and when leptin concentration was at 100 ng/mL, and the level of OB-RLmRNA reached a peak, It is concluded that in obese PCOS women, the level of serum leptin is increased, which promotes the expression of OB-RL in luteinized granulosa cells and increases the sensitivity of the granulosa cells to leptin. Leptin may contribute to anovulation in obese women with PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome patients with high BMI tend to have functional disorders of androgen excess:a prospective study

Biochemical or clinical changes of hyperandrogenism are important elements of polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）. There is currently no consensus on the definition and diagnostic criteria of hyperandrogenism in PCOS. The aim of this study was to investigate the complex symptoms of hyperandrogenic disorders and the correlations between metabolism and hyperandrogenism in patients with PCOS from an outpatient reproductive medicine clinic in China. We conducted a case control study of 125 PCOS patients and 130 controls to evaluate differences in body mass index （BMI）, total testosterone （TT）, modified Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism score, sex hormone binding globulin （SHBG）, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance （HOMA-IR） and free androgen index （FAI） between PCOS patients and controls and subgroups of PCOS. The prevalence of acne and hirsutism did not differ significantly between the hyperandrogenic and non-hyperandrogenic subgroup. Patients with signs of hyper- androgenism had significantly higher BMI （P 〈 0.05）, but differences in TT, SHBG, FAI and waist/hip ratio were insignificant. The odds ratio of overweight was calculated for all PCOS patients. Our results suggest that PCOS patients with high BMI tend to have functional disorders of androgen excess; therefore, BMI may be a strong pre-dictor of hyperandrogenism in PCOS.

Flexible GnRH Antagonist Protocol versus Progestin-primed Ovarian Stimulation (PPOS) Protocol in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Comparison of Clinical Outcomes and Ovarian Response

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. Progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol, which used oral progestin to prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges in ovarian stimulation, has been proved to be effective and safe in patients with PCOS. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of PPOS protocol with that of the traditional gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol in patients with PCOS. A total of 157 patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were recruited into this study. The patients were divided into two groups by the stimulation protocols: the GnRH antagonist protocol group and the PPOS protocol group. There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics between the two groups. Dose and duration of gonadotropin were higher in the PPOS protocol group. Estradiol levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration were significantly lower in the PPOS protocol group. Fertilization rates and the number of good quality embryos were similar between the two groups. Remarkably, we found 6 patients with moderate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in the GnRH antagonist protocol group but 0 in the PPOS protocol group. A total of 127 women completed their frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of clinical pregnancy rate per transfer, implantation rate, first-trimester miscarriage rate and on-going pregnancy rate per transfer. To conclude, PPOS protocol decreased the incidence of OHSS without adversely affecting clinical outcomes in patients with PCOS.

Cardiometabolic health among gastric bypass surgery patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

AIM:To examine the effect of gastric bypass surgery on cardiometabolic health among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS).METHODS:Retrospective medical chart review identified women(n = 389) with PCOS who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery from 2001-2009 in one surgical practice.Separate repeated measures linear mixed models were fit using the MIXED procedureto assess mean change in cardiometabolic disease risk factors from before to 1-year after surgery and were evaluated by ethnicity [Hispanic,non-Hispanic black(NHB) and white(NHW)].RESULTS:The majority of the sample was Hispanic(66%,25% NHB,9% NHW).Mean body mass index significantly improved 1 year post-surgery for all ethnic groups(45.5 to 35.5 kg/m2 for Hispanics,46.8 to 37.7 kg/m2 for NHB and 45.7 to 36.7 kg/m2 for NHW,P < 0.001).Among Hispanic women mean total cholesterol(198.1 to 160.2 mg/dL),low-density lipoproteins(LDL) cholesterol(120.9 to 91.0 mg/dL),triglycerides(148.6 to 104.8 mg/dL),hemoglobin A1c(6.2% to 5.6%),alanine aminotransferase(28.1 to 23.0 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase(23.5 to 21.6 U/L) decreased significantly(P < 0.001).Among NHB,mean total cholesterol(184.5 to 154.7 mg/dL),LDL cholesterol(111.7 to 88.9 mg/dL) and triglycerides(99.7 to 70.0 mg/dL) decreased significantly(P < 0.05).Among NHW,mean total cholesterol(200.9 to 172.8 mg/dL) and LDL cholesterol(124.2 to 96.6 mg/dL),decreased significantly(P < 0.05).Pairwise ethnic group comparisons of all cardiometabolic outcomes adjusted for age and type of surgery before and 1 year after surgery showed no statistical difference between the three groups for any outcome.CONCLUSION:Cardiometabolic disease risk improvements vary by ethnicity and obesity may impact glucose tolerance and liver function changes more in Hispanic women with PCOS vs non-Hispanic women.

Serum Adiponectin and Resistin Levels in Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Their Clinical Implications

In this study, serum adiponectin and resistin levels were determined in 46 patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and their correlation with serum sexual hormones and insulin resistance (IR) were examined.The subjects included 26 obese patients with body mass index (BMI)】25 and 20 non-obese patients with BMI≤25, with 25 obese and 25 non-obese healthy volunteers without PCOS serving as controls.Serum adiponectin and resistin levels in all subjects were measured, and endocrinal and metabolic indices were also analysed.Our results showed that the serum adiponectin levels in both obese and non-obese PCOS groups were significantly lower than their controls, while the serum resistin levels in obese and non-obese PCOS group were significantly higher than in their controls (P【0.001).The serum adiponectin level was significantly lower and serum resistin level significantly higher in the non-obese PCOS group as compared with the obese control group (P【0.05).Serum adiponectin level was negatively correlated with FIN, HOMA-IR, LH and LH/FSH (P【0.05), but serum resistin level was positively correlated with FIN, HOMA-IR, LH and LH/FSH (P【0.05).We are led to conclude that PCOS patients have obvious IR, low serum adiponectin and high serum resistin, and adiponectin and resistin might play important roles in the pathogenesis of IR in PCOS patients.

Mental Health Status Assessment in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Infertility Patients: A Pilot Study

Polycystic ovary syndrome（PCOS） is a major endocrine disorder afflicting women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS are more likely to suffer from mental health disturbances than healthy women. The ＂infertility＂ suffered by PCOS patients would also lead to mental health disturbances. Symptom Checklist 90（SCL-90） and questionnaire which includes patients＇ socio-economic and demographic data were used to assess the mental health status of PCOS（n=103） and non-PCOS（n=110） infertile patients. Logistic regression analysis and t-tests were used for comparative analysis. The data demonstrated that scores of depression, interpersonal sensitivity, obsessive-compulsive, and hostility symptoms in PCOS infertile patients were significantly higher than those in the non-PCOS infertile patients（P〈0.05）. Logistic regression analysis revealed that acne had negative effect on mental health status（P〈0.05）. Secondary infertile PCOS patients were more easily to suffer from somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, obsessive-compulsive, anxiety, hostility and paranoid ideation symptoms than the primary infertile PCOS patients（P〈0.05）. The results suggested that the PCOS patients especially the secondary infertile PCOS patients had obvious mental health disturbances. The acne might play an importance role in the occurrence of mental health disturbances in PCOS patients. PCOS related symptoms may be risk factors of mental health status in PCOS patients with infertility. More attention should be paid to the PCOS infertile patients, and mental health therapy should be considered if necessary.

Fetal programming of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that affects up to 6.8% of reproductive age women.Experimental research and clinical observations suggest that PCOS may originate in the very early stages of development,possibly even during intrauterine life.This suggests that PCOS is either genetically-transmittedor is due to epigenetic alterations that develop in the intrauterine microenvironment.Although familial cases support the role of genetic factors,no specific genetic pattern has been defined in PCOS.Several candidate genes have been implicated in its pathogenesis,but none can specifically be implicated in PCOS development.Hypotheses based on the impact of the intrauterine environment on PCOS development can be grouped into two categories.The first is the "thrifty" phenotype hypothesis,which states that intrauterine nutritional restriction in fetuses causes decreased insulin secretion and,as a compensatory mechanism,insulin resistance.Additionally,an impaired nutritional environment can affect the methylation of some specific genes,which can also trigger PCOS.The second hypothesis postulates that fetal exposure to excess androgen can induce changes in differentiating tissues,causing the PCOS phenotype to develop in adult life.This review aimed to examine the role of fetal programming in development of PCOS.

MIF May Participate in Pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats through MAPK Signalling pathway

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) model was established in fats and correlation between the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and cytokinesis with the MAPK signalling pathway in the rat ovary was measured. The PCOS model in rats was established by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).Thirty sexually immature female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and equally assigned to three groups:control group,PCOS group,and PCOS with high-fat diet (HFD) group.Serum hormones were assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA).The ovaries'were immunohistochemically stained with MIF,and the expression of MIF,p-JNK and p-p38 was detected by Western blotting in ovaries.The serum testosterone level,LH concentration,LH/FSH ratio,fasting insulin level and HOMA IR index in the PCOS group (6.077±0.478,13.809±1.701,1.820±0.404,10.83±1.123 and 1.8692±0.1096)and PCOS with HFD group (6.075±0.439,14.075±1.927,1.779±0.277,10.20±1.377 and 1.7736±0.6851)were significantly higher than those in the control group (4.949±0.337, 2.458±0.509,1.239±0.038,9.53±0.548 and 1.5329±0.7363),but there was no significant difference between the PCOS group and PCOS with HFD group.The expression levels of MIF,p-JNK,and p-p38 in the PCOS group (0.4048±0.013,0.6233±0.093 and 0.7987±0.061)and PCOS withHFD group (0.1929±0.012,0.3346±0.103 and 0.3468±0.031)were obviously higher than those in control group (0.2492±0.013, 0.3271±0.093 and 0.3393±0.061),but no Significant difference was observed between PCOS group and PCOS with HFD group.It was suggested that MIF may participate in the pathogenesis of PCOS through the MAPK signalling pathway in PCOS rats induced by DHEA.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and polycystic ovary syndrome

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the Western world comprising a spectrum of liver damage from fatty liver infiltration to end-stage liver disease,in patients without significant alcohol consumption.Increased prevalence of NAFLD has been reported in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS),one of the most common endocrinopathies in premenopausal women,which has been redefined as a reproductive and metabolic disorder after the recognition of the important role of insulin resistance in the pathophysiology of the syndrome.Obesity,in particular central adiposity and insulin resistance are considered as the main factors related to NAFLD in PCOS.Moreover,existing data support that androgen excess,which is the main feature of PCOS and is interrelated to insulin resistance,may be an additional contributing factor to the development of NAFLD.Although the natural history of NAFLD remains unclear and hepatic steatosis seems to be a relatively benign condition in most patients,limited data imply that advanced stage of liver disease is possibly more frequent in obese PCOS patients with NAFLD.PCOS patients,particularly obese patients with features of the metabolic syndrome,should be submitted to screening for NAFLD comprising assessment of serum aminotransferase levels and of hepatic steatosis by abdominal ultrasound.Lifestyle modifications including diet,weight loss and exercise are the most appropriate initial therapeutic interventions for PCOS patients with NAFLD.When pharmacologic therapy is considered,metformin may be used,although currently there is no medical therapy of proven benefit for NAFLD.Long-term follow up studies are needed to clarify clinical implications and guide appropriate diagnostic evaluation,follow-up protocol and optimal treatment for PCOS patients with NAFLD.

Apoptosis and Expression of Protein TRAIL in Granulosa Cells of Rats with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The relationship between apoptosis of granulosa cells and follicle development arrest in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) rats, and the contribution of tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) in apoptosis of granulosa cells were explored. By using sodium prasterone sulfate rat PCOS model was induced. The apoptosis of granulosa cells in ovaries of rats was observed by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL), and the expression of TRAIL protein and mRNA in granulosa cells was detected by using immunhistochemical staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively. The apoptotic rate and the expression of protein TRAIL in granulosa cells were significantly higher in antral follicles from the PCOS rats than in those from the control rats (P<0.01, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in apoptotic rate and the expression of TRAIL protein in granulosa cells of preantral follicles between the PCOS rats and the control rats (P>0.05). No apoptosis and the expression of TRAIL protein in granulosa cells of primordial follicles were found in the two groups. The expression of TRAIL mRNA was significantly stronger in granulosa cells from the PCOS rats than in those from the con- trol rats (P<0.01). It was suggested that the apoptotic rate in granulosa cells was significantly higher in antral follicle from the PCOS rats than in those from the control rats. TRAIL played a role in regu- lating the apoptosis of granulosa cells in PCOS rats.

Assessing and treating insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS) is a highly prevalent hormonal and metabolic disorder among reproductive aged women worldwide.Women with PCOS have widely varying phenotypes and seek medical care for differing reasons.In addition to concern for menstrual cycle function,ovulation,hirsutism and acne,many PCOS women have abnormal glucose metabolism.While diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance are easily diagnosed,the diagnosis of and concern for insulin resistance as a precursor disorder is underappreciated.Insulin resistance may be the first important marker of metabolic disease in PCOS women at risk for metabolic syndrome and coronary artery disease.