PCOS and Assisted Reproduction Technique: Role and Relevance of Inositols

Paolo Giovanni Artini,Elisa Malacarne,Vito Cela

doi:10.3390/endocrines2040046

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder often characterized by insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, especially in overweight/obese women. Among insulin sensitizers, the positive role of inositols has been increasingly established in recent years. The action of inositols not only concerns the metabolic parameters of these patients, but also the hormonal profile, resulting in beneficial effects on ovarian function. For this reason, many studies have tried to recognize their role in PCOS infertile women who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.

Highlights

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder which, according to some authors, can involve up to 25% of women of reproductive age [1]
The mechanism underlying PCOS has not yet been fully clarified; several authors suggested that adequate treatment of insulin resistance in PCOS infertile patients could improve the response of the ovary to endogenous gonadotropins which appear to be worsened by IR
Similar conclusions were published in a review by Garg et al, in which they summarized the main studies that analyzed assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes in PCOS women with/without inositol intake

Summary

Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder which, according to some authors, can involve up to 25% of women of reproductive age [1] It is not part of the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria drawn up in 2003 [2], insulin resistance (IR). The mechanism underlying PCOS has not yet been fully clarified; several authors suggested that adequate treatment of insulin resistance in PCOS infertile patients could improve the response of the ovary to endogenous gonadotropins which appear to be worsened by IR. This mechanism alone may be able to restore normal menstrual cycle and ovulation for those patients with PCOS [16,17,18,19]

Therapeutic Approach to Insulin Resistance

Inositol and IVF Treatments

Findings

Conclusions