Kisspeptin Levels in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

T he polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women worldwide. The syndrome is characterized by ovulatory dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries (PCO) (Schmidt, 2011). The recently discovered hypothalamic neuropeptide kisspeptin potently stimulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion and thereby the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Neurones expressing kisspeptin are sensitive to key regulators of the HPG axis, such as sex steroids and metabolic status, and accordingly play an important role in control of the HPG axis. Kisspeptin neurones are therefore considered to be important gatekeepers for puberty onset and for the positive and negative steroid control of reproductive function (Roa et al., 2011). The aim of this study is to compare kisspeptin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and healthy subjects and to evaluate the relation ship between kisspeptin and the biochemical manifestations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. This study is a case control study which was conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital during the period between July 2015 and July 2016. The study included forty four patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and forty four healthy subjects who were recruited from the outpatient clinic.