title: Plasma levels of pentraxin-3, an inflammatory protein involved in fertility, are reduced in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pentraxin-3 (PTX3), like C-reactive protein (CRP), is an acute-phase protein that belongs to the pentraxin superfamily. Moreover, it is expressed in the cumulus oophorus and appears to be involved in female fertility. The aim of the present study was to assess whether PTX3 levels are altered in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women and whether they show any relationship with the main features of these subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient clinic of an academic centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 66 women affected with PCOS and 51 healthy controls were studied. Plasma PTX3 and serum CRP were measured by ELISA. Androgens were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and free testosterone was measured by equilibrium dialysis. In PCOS women, insulin sensitivity was assessed by the glucose clamp technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adjusting for age and BMI, plasma PTX3 was reduced in PCOS women (P=0.036), in contrast with serum CRP, which was increased (P=0.004). In multiple regression analysis, serum androgens and other endocrine and ovarian features of PCOS were predictors of PTX3 levels, whereas body fat was the main independent predictor of CRP concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma PTX3 levels were reduced in PCOS women and independently associated with hyperandrogenism and other endocrine and ovarian features of PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tosi
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Di Sarra
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonin
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zambotti
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dall'Alda
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fiers
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: Matilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franchi
authors.forename: Maria Elisabetta
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Zanolin
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonora
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moghetti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099153:Pentraxins
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins