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Autophagy 2021 Jun 23:1-28. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a unification of endocrine and metabolic disorders and has become immensely prevalent among women of fertile age. The prime organ affected in PCOS is the ovary and its distressed functioning elicits disturbed reproductive outcomes. In the ovary, macroautophagy/autophagy performs a pivotal role in directing the chain of events starting from oocytes origin until its fertilization. Read More

J Genet Genomics 2021 May 1. Epub 2021 May 1.

Children's Hospital, Institutes of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China; Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China. Electronic address:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder with evidence of polygenetic components, and obesity may be a risk factor for hyperandrogenism. Previous studies have shown that LHCGR is enriched in the ovary and LHCGR deficiency causes infertility without typical PCOS phenotypes. ALMS1 is implicated in obesity and hyperandrogenism, the common phenotypes among PCOS patients. Read More

Endocrine 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.

Purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered one of the most common endocrine disorders with heterogeneity. There are also reports that liver receptor homolog 1 [LRH-1 or nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 2] plays an important role in the reproductive system. But up to now, there are no reports related to the link with PCOS and LRH-1. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021 28;12:667422. Epub 2021 May 28.

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disease. PCOS patients are characterized by hyperandrogenemia, anovulation, and metabolic dysfunction. Hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis imbalance is considered as an important pathophysiology underlying PCOS, indicating that central modulation, especially the abnormal activation of hypothalamic GnRH neurons plays a vital role in PCOS development. Read More

J Endocr Soc 2021 Jun 7;5(6):bvab060. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Fertility and Research Centre, School of Women's & Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common and heterogeneous disorder; however, the etiology and pathogenesis of PCOS are poorly understood and current management is symptom-based. Defining the pathogenesis of PCOS traits is important for developing early PCOS detection markers and new treatment strategies. Hyperandrogenism is a defining characteristic of PCOS, and studies support a role for androgen-driven actions in the development of PCOS. Read More

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2021 17;2021:6678398. Epub 2021 May 17.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent gynecological female endocrinopathy, characterized by chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and insulin resistance (IR). Menstrual disorders are one of the main clinical manifestations of PCOS. Other symptoms include hirsutism and/acne. Read More

Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021 May 31;19(1):77. Epub 2021 May 31.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University, School of Medicine, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes anovulation and is associated with a reduced clinical pregnancy rate. Metformin, which is widely used for treating PCOS, can lead to successful pregnancy by restoring the ovulation cycle and possibly improving endometrial abnormality during the implantation period. However, the mechanism by which metformin improves endometrial abnormality remains unknown. Read More

Reprod Sci 2021 May 27. Epub 2021 May 27.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a mysterious and complicated endocrine disease with the combination of metabolic, reproductive, psychological dysfunctions. Impaired endometrial receptivity and ovulation disorders/anovulation are both important causes of PCOS-related infertility. However, change in endometrium has never received the same attention as ovulatory dysfunction. Read More

Hormones (Athens) 2021 May 25. Epub 2021 May 25.

Unit of Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Papageorgiou General Hospital, 54629, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of anovulatory infertility. According to the latest guidelines, letrozole should be considered as the first-line pharmacological treatment for women with WHO Group II anovulation or PCOS. However, the use of letrozole as an ovulation induction agent is not FDA or EMA approved, and its use is "off-label. Read More

Environ Health 2021 May 22;20(1):64. Epub 2021 May 22.

Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6710B Rockledge Drive MSC 7004, Maryland, 20892, Bethesda, USA.

Background: Cadmium is an endocrine disrupting chemical that affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Though evidence suggests its potential role in altering androgen synthesis and metabolic pathways that are characteristic of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), its relation in healthy women of reproductive age is largely unknown. As women with mild sub-clinical features of PCOS who do not meet the diagnostic criteria of PCOS may still experience reduced fecundability, investigating associations between cadmium and PCOS-phenotypes among healthy women may provide unique insight into the reproductive implications for many on the PCOS spectrum. Read More

Hum Fertil (Camb) 2021 May 21:1-12. Epub 2021 May 21.

Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Obesity in both women and men is regarded as one of the many factors that may contribute to impaired reproductive health. Obesity can be accompanied by several neuroendocrine and ovarian dysfunctions, including chronic oligo/anovulation, menstrual irregularities, subfertility, and the increased risk of pregnancy in women. Insulin resistance, elevated triglyceride and fatty acid levels, and the secretion of adipocytokines caused by the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue associated with obesity adversely affect reproductive functions. Read More

Mol Biol Rep 2021 Apr 15;48(4):3845-3851. Epub 2021 May 15.

Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Mazandaran, Iran.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder and affects 5-10% of reproductive-age women. Chronic anovulation, polycystic ovaries, and hyperandrogenism are the important features of this syndrome. Furthermore, hyperinsulinemia and central obesity are frequent in PCOS women. Read More

Cell Signal 2021 Apr 28;85:110030. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, PR China. Electronic address:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous reproductive disease, characterized by increased ovarian androgen biosynthesis, chronic anovulation and polycystic ovaries. The objective of this study was to identify the altered miRNA expression profiles in follicular fluid derived exosomes isolated from PCOS patients and to investigate the molecular functions of exosomal miR-424-5p. Herein, small RNA sequencing showed that twenty-five miRNAs were differentially expressed between control and PCOS group. Read More

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2021 Apr;25(8):3316-3324

Human Reproduction Department, Hospital Juárez de México, México City, Mexico; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma De México (UNAM), México City, México.

Objective: This open-label non-randomized clinical study aimed at evaluating the effects of myo-inositol plus alpha-lactalbumin in two groups of PCOS women, treated in Mexico and Italy. Alpha-lactalbumin was used being effective in increasing myo-inositol intestinal absorption. This effect is very useful in greatly reducing the therapeutic failure of myo-inositol in some patients (inositol resistant subjects). Read More

Neuropsychopharmacology 2021 07 29;46(8):1460-1467. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by late luteal phase affective, cognitive, and physical impairment. The disorder causes significant suffering in about 5% of women in their reproductive age. Altered sensitivity of cognitive-affective brain circuits to progesterone and its downstream metabolite allopregnanolone is suggested to underlie PMDD symptomatology. Read More

Vaccines (Basel) 2021 Apr 22;9(5). Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Livestock Research Institute, 186 Daeryongsan-ro, Anjeong-myeon, Yeongju 36052, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea.

Vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease is the most common method for preventing the spread of the disease; the negative effects include miscarriage, early embryo death, lower milk production, and decreased growth of fattening cattle. Therefore, in this study, we analyze the side effects of vaccination by determining the acute immune response and ovulation rate after vaccinating cows for foot-and-mouth disease. The test axis was synchronized with ovulation using 100 Hanwoo () cows from the Gyeongsangbuk-do Livestock Research Institute; only individuals with estrus confirmed by ovarian ultrasound were used for the test. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2021 Apr 10;22(8). Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology of Cardiovascular System, Institute of Human Morphology, 3 Tsyurupa Street, 117418 Moscow, Russia.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine-metabolic disorder affecting a vast population worldwide; it is linked with anovulation, mitochondrial dysfunctions and hormonal disbalance. Mutations in mtDNA have been identified in PCOS patients and likely play an important role in PCOS aetiology and pathogenesis; however, their causative role in PCOS development requires further investigation. As a low-grade chronic inflammation disease, PCOS patients have permanently elevated levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, CRP, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18). Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2021 Apr 6;22(7). Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a one of the most common endocrine disorders, with a prevalence rate of 5-10% in reproductive aged women. It's characterized by (1) chronic anovulation, (2) biochemical and/or clinical hyperandrogenism, and (3) polycystic ovarian morphology. PCOS has significant clinical implications and can lead to health problems related to the accumulation of adipose tissue, such as obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Read More

J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2021 Apr 25. Epub 2021 Apr 25.

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address:

Study Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the presence of anovulation in adolescents with primary dysmenorrhea (PD).

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Hacettepe University Children's Hospital, Adolescent Medicine outpatient clinic between September 2018 and September 2019. Read More

Probl Sotsialnoi Gig Zdravookhranenniiai Istor Med 2021 Mar;29(2):245-249

N. F. Katanov Khakass State University, Abakan, 655000, Russia.

The article demonstrates the relationship between temperamental features and functional state of central nervous system in female students various regimen of reproductive system functioning. The sampling included 115 female students of Krasnoyarsk with different status of menstrual function, including 51 female students with normal gonadotropic and prolactin type of anovulation and 64 female students with ovulatory menstrual cycle. The questionnaire DOTS-R was applied to establish the temperament characteristics. Read More

Obes Rev 2021 Apr 14:e13255. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

College of Kinesiology, Physical Activity Complex, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibit reduced muscle insulin-mediated glucose uptake, potentially attributed to altered muscle mass; however, this is inconclusive. Altered muscle mass may aggravate PCOS complications. Our systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated whether PCOS alters muscle mass and function. Read More

Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2021 Apr 15;36(2):296-311. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women, characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo/anovulation, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs), along with lifestyle modifications, represent the first-line medical treatment for the long-term management of PCOS. Containing low doses of estrogen and different types of progestin, COCs restore menstrual cyclicity, improve hyperandrogenism, and provide additional benefits such as reducing the risk of endometrial cancer. Read More

J Transl Med 2021 04 13;19(1):148. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.

Background: Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is a form of intermittent fasting, which is beneficial for weight loss and cardiometabolic health. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reproductive endocrine and metabolic diseases affecting women of childbearing age. It is associated with an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Read More

Clin Chim Acta 2021 Jul 31;518:151-155. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Clinical Anatomy and Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China. Electronic address:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), i.e., anovulation, hyperandrogenemia and polycystic ovary, is an endocrine-metabolic disease affecting reproductive aged women. Read More

J Nutr 2021 Jun;151(6):1407-1415

Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects 10% of reproductive-aged women and leads to hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and infertility. PCOS has been associated with elevated serum homocysteine as well as altered methylation status; however, characterization of one-carbon metabolism (OCM) in PCOS remains incomplete.

Objectives: The aim of our research was to assess OCM in a letrozole-induced Sprague Dawley rat model of PCOS. Read More

Mol Cell Biochem 2021 Mar 23. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Since the lack of certainty in identifying polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) demonstrates confusion regarding the disorder's pathophysiology and its therapeutic approaches, systematic screening of women under diagnostic guidelines of the NIH reported that about 4-10 percent of reproductive women aged 20-44 years suffer from PCOS. Not all females with PCOS-defining biochemical and clinical characteristics and about 22% of PCOS women have no symptoms. PCOS is a heterogeneous phenotypic and clinical condition, combined with metabolic implications. Read More

Biol Reprod 2021 Jun;104(6):1205-1217

Center of Pharmacological and Botanical Studies (CEFYBO), National Scientific and Technical Research Council, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequent endocrinopathies, affecting 5-10% of women of reproductive age, and is characterized by the presence of ovarian cysts, oligo, or anovulation, and clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism. Metabolic abnormalities such as hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, cardiovascular complications, dyslipidemia, and obesity are frequently present in PCOS women. Several key pathogenic pathways overlap between these metabolic abnormalities, notably chronic inflammation. Read More

J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021 Jun;106(7):e2600-e2612

Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA.

Context: Diets high in plant-based protein have gained popularity due to increasing health concerns regarding consumption of animal products. Though links between intakes of certain protein-rich foods and reproductive disorders have been suggested, the relationship of overall animal and vegetable proteins with reproductive hormones among reproductive-aged women is unknown.

Objective: To evaluate the associations between the intake of dietary protein with reproductive hormones and sporadic anovulation among reproductive-aged women. Read More

Biol Reprod 2021 Jun;104(6):1360-1372

Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA.

We hypothesized the manner that heifers achieve puberty may indicate their future reproductive longevity. Heifers with discontinued or delayed cyclicity during puberty attainment may have irregular reproductive cycles, anovulation, and infertility in their first breeding season contributing to a shorter reproductive lifespan. Therefore, plasma progesterone (P4) was measured from weaning to breeding on 611 heifers born 2012-2017 and four pubertal classifications were identified: (1) Early; P4 ≥ 1 ng/ml < March 12 with continued cyclicity, (2) Typical; P4 ≥ 1 ng/ml ≥ March 12 with continued cyclicity, (3) Start-Stop; P4 ≥ 1 ng/ml but discontinued cyclicity, and (4) Non-Cycling; no P4 ≥ 1 ng/ml. Read More

Gynecol Endocrinol 2021 Mar 11:1-8. Epub 2021 Mar 11.

Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.

Objective: To study the association between hyperandrogenism (HA) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with different polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes undergoing fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Methods: We reviewed all eligible articles published up to October 2020 after searching in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wanfang Data, and CNKI databases. The primary outcomes were the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), miscarriage rate (MR), and live birth rate (LBR), whereas the secondary outcomes were the number of retrieved oocytes and endometrial thickness. Read More