title: Genetics of polycystic ovarian syndrome.
abstract: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive system disorder characterized by irregular menses, anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism (hirsutism and/or acne), ovarian micropolycystic appearance and metabolic abnormalities, such as hyperinsulinaemia and obesity. The aetiopathogenesis of this syndrome is not well known. Several pathogenetic hypotheses have been proposed to explain the full array of symptoms and signs, but with elusive results. A genetic abnormality causing PCOS is supported by the observation that different members of the same family are often affected, and about half of the sisters of PCOS women have elevated serum testosterone concentrations. Therefore, the presence of gene abnormalities in women with PCOS has been widely explored in the attempt to establish whether their mutations or polymorphisms may cause PCOS. The main genes evaluated are those involved in steroidogenesis, steroid hormone effects, gonadotrophin release regulation and action, insulin secretion and action, and adipose tissue metabolism. Despite the vast body of literature produced, none of the genes evaluated seems to play a key role in PCOS pathogenesis. It is likely that PCOS may represent the final outcome of different, deeply inter-related genetic abnormalities that influence each other and perpetuate the syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Section of Andrology and Internal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Enza
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fratantonio
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vicari
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pafumi
authors.forename: Aldo E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Calogero
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D004970:Estrone / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D038681:Follistatin / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000150:complications; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000235:genetics; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000235:genetics; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000235:genetics; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics; D013255:Steroid 21-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D038681:Follistatin; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011974:Receptors, LH; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013256:Steroids; D004970:Estrone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D013255:Steroid 21-Hydroxylase; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase; D011972:Receptor, Insulin