Research questionDo the levels of adipokines (adiponectin, apelin, chemerin and vaspin) in plasma, hypothalamus, ovaries, and periovarian adipose tissue differ during polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)? DesignThe PCOS was induced in rats by oral administration of nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor letrozole. To determine the plasma levels of adiponectin, apelin, chemerin, and vaspin we performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. To assess the expression (gene and protein) and immunolocalization of these adipokines and their receptors, namely Adipor1 and Adipor2 for adiponectin; Aplnr for apelin; Ccrl2, Cmklr1, and Gpr1 for chemerin; and Grp78 for vaspin in the hypothalamus, ovaries, and periovarian adipose tissue we conducted by real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. ResultsWe noted that PCOS modulates the plasma levels of adipokines (decreased adiponectin, increased apelin, chemerin, and vaspin) and the expression of adipokines and their receptors in the hypothalamus, ovaries, and periovarian adipose tissue compared with healthy rats. ConclusionsThis study confirmed a strong relationship between PCOS and adipokines and suggest that adipokines may be a biomarker of PCOS.