Assessment of Biochemical Markers in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Patients in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Abstract

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a chronic endocrine disorder with clinical manifestations of oligomenorrhoea, amenorrhea, hirsuitism, ovarian dysfunction, and multiple ovarian cysts, affecting many women of reproductive age. PCOS is the primary cause of ovulatory infertility worldwide. This study assessed the concentration of reproductive hormones in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients attending tertiary hospitals in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. Three hundred and fifty infertile premenopausal women aged 20 to 40 years were recruited; comprising 250 women presenting complete Rotterdam patients of polycystic ovarian syndrome diagnostic criteria, and 100 apparently healthy women who serve as the control. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for reproductive hormone levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent Assay. The result showed significantly increased concentration of estradiol, luteinizing hormone, LH/FSH ratio, testosterone, and prolactin levels in the PCOS patients when compared with the control subjects. Progesterone and Follicle-stimulating hormone levels were significantly lower in the patients with PCOS than in normal subjects. However, there was no significant difference was observed in the serum dehydroepiandrosterone levels. Furthermore, the study revealed that insulin resistance level was significantly (p=0.000) higher in the PCOS patients than in the control subjects. The BMI was significantly higher in PCOS patients than in the control group. The study result showed a positive correlation between BMI and insulin resistance, and a negative correlation with FSH. The result showed a significant positive correlation between estrogen and insulin resistance, Luteinizing hormone, and a negative correlation with LH/FSH ratio. The study affirms that there is an interrelationship between hormones thus, promoting hormonal disorders in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients.