Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) was not considered as a simple disease at ovary but as a metabolic syndrome. The centre of this process is the disturbance of gonadotropin and metabolism of insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). Some main symptoms: mentruation disorder, hyperandrogenaemia, obesity and hyperresistant to peripheral insulin with hyperinsulinaemia. For those patients have symptoms on skin, the local treatment is provided, other systemic treatments were used for those have metabolic diseases. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome often are obesity. Metformin lose weight, regulate menstruation circle and increase significantly ovulation. Reducing androgen concentration can improve the symptom of acne and hypertrichosis. Infertile treatment, metformin can be effect in stimulating ovaries by clomiphen or FSH, increase the rate of having pregancy and reduce the rate of miscarriage in women with PCOS.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Basal Metabolism

BACKGROUNDPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age. The patients often develop insulin resistance (IR) or hyperinsulinemia despite manifesting anovulation and signs of hyperandrogenism. The cause and effect relationship of hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenemia (HA) is still debated. Micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) have recently been shown to play a role in regulation of ovarian function. Our current study focused on the altered expression of miRNAs with PCOS.

METHODSOvarian theca interna tissues were obtained from 10 PCOS patients and 8 controls that were non-PCOS and had normal insulin sensitivity undergoing laparoscopy and/or ovarian wedge resection. Total RNA of all samples was extracted. We studied the repertoire of miRNAs in both PCOS and non-PCOS women by microarray hybridization. Bioinformatic analysis was performed for predicting targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs. Furthermore, selected miRNAs were validated by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTSA total of 27 miRNAs were differentially expressed in PCOS patients with respect to the controls in our discovery evaluationand two (miR-92a and miR-92b) of them were significantly downregulated in PCOS women in followed validation (P < 0.05). Targets prediction revealed that miR-92a targeted both GATA family of zinc finger transcription factor GATA-binding factor 6 (GATA6) and insulin receptor substrate proteins 2 (IRS-2).

CONCLUSIONSMiRNAs are differentially expressed between PCOS patients and controls. We identified and validated two miRNAs-miR-92a and miR-92b. They are significantly downregulated and may be involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; genetics ; Insulin Resistance ; genetics ; physiology ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Ovary ; metabolism ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; genetics

OBJECTIVEOvarian fibrosis is characterized by excessive proliferation of ovarian fibroblasts and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and it is one of the principal reasons for ovarian dysfunction. This review aimed to investigate the pathogenetic mechanism of ovarian fibrosis and to clarify the relationship between ovarian diseases and fibrosis.

DATA SOURCESWe searched PubMed for English language articles published up to November 2016. The search terms included ovarian fibrosis OR fibrosis, ovarian chocolate cyst OR ovarian endometrioma, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, ECM, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and combinations of these terms.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles were obtained and reviewed to analyze the pathogenic mechanism of ovarian fibrosis and related ovarian diseases.

RESULTSMany cytokines, such as MMPs, TIMPs, TGF-β1, CTGF, PPAR-γ, VEGF, and ET-1, are involved in ovarian fibrogenesis. Ovarian fibrogenesis is associated with various ovarian diseases, including ovarian chocolate cyst, PCOS, and premature ovarian failure. One finding of particular interest is that fibrogenesis in peripheral tissues around an ovarian chocolate cyst commonly causes ovarian function diminution, and therefore, this medical problem should arouse widespread concern in clinicians worldwide.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with ovarian fibrosis are susceptible to infertility and tend to have decreased responses to assisted fertility treatment. Thus, protection of ovarian function should be a priority for women who wish to reproduce when making therapeutic decisions about ovarian fibrosis-related diseases.

Animals ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibrosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; etiology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; Ovary ; pathology

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, MT) is a hormone synthesized and secreted by the pineal gland. Recent studies show that melatonin plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of many reproductive processes. High-concentration melatonin exists in human preovulatory follicular fluid and melatonin receptors are present in ovarian granulosa cells, which indicates the direct effects of melatonin on ovarian function. Reactive oxygen species are involved in a number of reproductive events, including folliculogenesis, follicular atresia, ovulation, oocyte maturation, and corpus luteum formation. Melatonin and its metabolites, as powerful antioxidants and free radical scavengers, can potentially inhibit premature ovarian failure. Literature published in recent years shows the essential roles of melatonin in improving human ovarian function and oocyte quality as well as in the management of infertility. Researches on the action mechanisms of melatonin may provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of some clinical diseases.
Female ; Granulosa Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Melatonin ; metabolism ; physiology ; Ovarian Follicle ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Ovary ; physiology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the differentially expressed proteins between normal ovaries and ovarian cancer tissues using the protein chips.

METHODSTissues of 11 epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and 11 matched normal ovaries were labeled with cy3 and cy5 fluorescent dyes and then were hybridized with 512 monoclonal protein antibody chips. The internally normalized ratio (INR) was calculated according to the intensity of fluorescence of each protein spots. The value of INR > 2.0 or < 0.7 was considered as the cut-value to filtrate the differentially expressed proteins between tissues of EOC and normal ovaries.

RESULTSThirty one differentially expressed proteins were found between tissues of EOC and normal ovaries, in which 17 up-regulated and 14 down-regulated proteins involved in the transcription, proliferation, signal conduction, and apoptosis of cells.

CONCLUSIONAntibody chips can effectively screen the differentially expressed proteins between normal ovaries and ovarian cancer tissues.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; metabolism ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Ovary ; metabolism ; Protein Array Analysis ; Proteomics

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between insulin resistance and methylation of insulin receptor (INSR) gene in the endometrium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSBased on the HOMA index, 35 patients with PCOS were divided into insulin resistant group (IR group, n=18) and non-resistant group (NIR group, n=18). The patients age, serum estriol, testosterone, FSH and LH, fasting insulin and fasting blood glucose were compared between the two groups. The endometrial samples were obtained from the patients to examine DNA methylation status of INSR gene in the endometrial cells using methylation-specific PCR.

RESULTSThe BMI, WHR, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA index differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). PCR analysis showed partial methylation in the promoter region of INSR gene in 13 samples in IR group and 11 samples in NIR group, without detection of full methylation of the INSR gene in either group. The methylation status showed no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.328).

CONCLUSIONPartial methylation of the INSR gene occurs in the endometria of PCOS patients, but this study does not provide a strong evidence supporting the relationship between insulin resistance and INSR gene methylation in women with PCOS.

Adult ; DNA Methylation ; Endometrium ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptor, Insulin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects and mechanisms of Zuoguiyin (ZGY) on the ovarian nitric oxide (NO) production in peri-menopausal rats.

METHODSThe peri-menopausal model rats were respectively administered with low (13.78 g/kg), middle (20.67 g/kg), and high (31.00 g/kg) dose ZGY, and nilestriol for 8 weeks. Normal saline was given by gastrogavage to rats in the model group and the young control group (as the control group). The ovarian NO content and the activity of total nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were detected using nitrate reductase method and chemical colorimetry respectively. The mRNA and protein expressions of inducible NOS (iNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS), and neuronal NOS (nNOS) were detected using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTS(1) Compared with that in the control group, the ovarian NO content and the activity of total NOS in peri-menopausal rats were significantly lower (P < 0.01). Middle and high dose ZGY could obviously up-regulate them (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). (2) The three kinds of NOS expression levels in perimenopausal rats were obviously lower when compared with those of the control group (P < 0.01). Middle dose ZGY could significantly promote all the three kinds of NOS expression levels of pre-senile rats (P < 0.01). High dose ZGY could up-regulate the expressions of iNOS and eNOS, while low dose ZGY could only enhance the iNOS expression (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe down-regulated expressions of eNOS, iNOS, and nNOS in local ovaries resulted in decreased NOS activity and NO production, which were closely correlated with damaged microcirculatory vascular functions of ovaries in peri-menopausal rats. ZGY could protect rats' ovarian microcirculation by up-regulating the expressions of eNOS, iNOS, and nNOS, and enhancing the ovarian NOS activity and NO production.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Ovary ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Perimenopause ; Rats

We report a case of unilateral nevoid telangiectasia associated with acanthosis nigricans in a 20-year old male patient. Unilateral nevoid telangiectasia may be congenital or acquired. The unilateral and dermatomal distribution suggests that distribution of target vessels is fixed and that they are sensitive to estrogen. Estrogens are mainly produced by the ovaries, but they are also produced by peripheral cirornatization of androgen. Because a major site of this conversion is adipose tissue, estrogen can increase in an obese person. Obesity also reverses the metabolism of estrogen and increases the serum insulin level. Therefore it seems that obesity in our patient induces the development of unilateral nevoid telangiectasia and acanthosis nigricans.
Acanthosis Nigricans* ; Adipose Tissue ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; Male ; Metabolism ; Obesity ; Ovary ; Telangiectasis* ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDVitrification is a prospective technology in ovarian tissue cryopreservation, but it is still in an initial stage. This study was conducted to investigate a modified vitrification protocol for human ovarian tissue, which can be used as an alternative to preserve fertility for young women with cancer who have to undergo cytotoxic therapy and sterilization.

METHODSOvarian tissue samples were collected from 15 patients and randomly allocated to groups of fresh, vitrification, and conventional slow freezing. A modified carrierless vitrification method was applied. The proportion of morphologically intact follicles in fresh ovarian tissues was compared with that in warmed/thawed tissues. The initial growth of the follicles and the concentrations of estradiol and progesterone were detected to determine the viability and endocrine function of the cryopreserved tissues.

RESULTSThe proportion of morphologically intact primordial follicles in the fresh group (97.6%) was significantly higher than that in the other two groups (vitrification group 80.3% and slow-freezing group 72.6%, P < 0.001). In both the vitrification and slow-freezing groups, estradiol and progesterone were secreted continuously during 2-week culture in vitro, the proportion of primary follicles were both significantly increased compared to the fresh group. No statistically significant differences existed between the two groups after cryopreservation in the proportion of both primordial and primary follicles, and the concentrations of estradiol and progesterone (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe modified vitrification method for cryopreservation of human ovarian tissues is effective, simple, and inexpensive.

Adult ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Estradiol ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Humans ; Ovary ; cytology ; metabolism ; Progesterone ; biosynthesis ; Tissue Culture Techniques

Apoptosis of abnormal oocytes is essential for defective oocyte elimination during prepubertal ovary development, and the ubiquitin system regulates the cell apoptosis via the degradation of specific proteins. Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) is a component of the ubiquitin system, and the UCH-L1-dependent apoptosis is important for spermatogenesis. In the present study, the change in the number of follicles and the expression of UCH-L1 in oocytes were determined in prepubertal mouse ovaries by immunohistochemical techniques. A significant decrease in the follicular pool was found in prepubertal mouse ovaries during the period of day 21 to day 28 after birth, and accordingly, the UCH-L1 protein expression was increased, to some degree in association with Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 (Jab1) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kipl). The increased UCH-L1 protein, together with the corresponding changes of Jab1 was detected in morphologically abnormal oocytes of prepubertal ovaries. Through the immunofluorescent colocalization, UCH-L1 was shown concentrating in abnormal oocytes, and a parallel change in Jab1 was also seen. The affinity analysis confirmed the interaction between UCH-L1 and Jab1 in ovaries. These results suggest that UCH-L1 plays an important role, possibly in association with Jab1 and p27(Kipl), in selective elimination of abnormal oocytes during mouse prepubertal development.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Female ; Mice ; Oocytes ; cytology ; Ovary ; enzymology ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase ; metabolism