Kisspeptin and polycystic ovary syndrome - is there any connection?

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. It is known that kisspeptin stimulates activity of GnRH neurons and secretion of FSH and LH, thus disruption of interaction between kisspeptin and its receptor leads to anovulation. The aim of the study was to investigate the role kisspeptin in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Materials and methods. The study included 14 patients with classic phenotype of PCOS and 11 healthy women of the control group. All the patients underwent laparoscopy and hysteroscopy with histological examination of ovarian tissue and endometrium. Determination of kisspeptin, FSH, LH, prolactin, AMH, estradiol, estrone, androgens (free testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) levels in peripheral blood in healthy women and patients with PCOS was performed by ELISA on the 2d and 8th days of menstrual cycle. Progesterone levels were investigated on the 18th-22d days of menstrual cycle. Expression of kisspeptin and its receptor in ovarian tissue and endometrium was estimated using immunohistochemical method. Results. Level of kisspeptin in peripheral blood of patients with PCOS tends to increase compared to its level in the control group, but the found difference was not reliable. Direct correlation between serum level of kisspeptin and levels of LH, free testosterone and DHEA-S was revealed in patients with PCOS. Immunohistochemical study in patients with PCOS showed a significant increase in the area of expression of КІЅЅ1 and KISS1R receptor in endometrium and in ovarian biopsies compared to these values in the control group. Conclusion. The obtained data show a definite role of kisspeptin in pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome, but further research is needed.