The pathogenetic enigma of polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disease with heterogeneous clinical and anatomical features that were first described in 1721 by Antonio Vallisneri. There is still a lack of consensus regarding the criteria to be used for diagnosis of PCOS. Transvaginal ultrasonography with Doppler studies of the ovarian and pelvic vasculature plays an important role in its diagnosis, but findings must be interpreted in light of the patient's symptoms and laboratory findings.Sommario La complessità e l'eterogeneità anatomica e clinica dell'espressione della sindrome dell'ovaio policistico (PCOS) costituisce a tutt'oggi una problematica nella quale la valutazione ecografica rappresenta una componente importante nella diagnosi, che si deve integrare con i sintomi clinici e le alterazioni biochimiche proprie della sindrome descritta per la prima volta da Antonio Vallisneri nel 1721. I criteri per la diagnosi sono eterogenei come la stessa patologia. ª

Upper trunk fat assessment and its relationship with metabolic and biochemical variables and body fat in polycystic ovary syndrome

“…, 2003; Kuba et al. , 2006; Speca et al. , 2007), this syndrome is also associated with several features of metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, abdominal obesity (Kirchengast & Huber, 2001) and insulin resistance (IR) (Dunaif et al.…”

“…Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women, affecting 6-10% of women of reproductive age (Asuncion et al, 2000). In addition to its classical characteristics (menstrual irregularity of the oligo/amenorrhea type, chronic anovulation, infertility, and clinical and/or laboratory hyperandrogenism) (Nacul et al, 2003;Kuba et al, 2006;Speca et al, 2007), this syndrome is also associated with several features of metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, abdominal obesity (Kirchengast & Huber, 2001) and insulin resistance (IR) (Dunaif et al, 1989;Dunaif, 1997). Women with PCOS tend to accumulate more upper body fat than women without the syndrome matched for weight and age (Douchi et al, 1995;Kirchengast & Huber, 2001;Cascella et al, 2008;Svendsen et al, 2008), a fact that places the former population at increased risk of developing metabolic complications such as IR and of presenting cardiovascular risk factors (Barber et al, 2006).…”

Association between vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and PCOS risk: a meta-analysis

“…However, studies have reported that several genetic, hormonal and environmental factors can contribute to the pathogenesis of PCOS (Dumesic et al, 2015). Serum levels of VEGF are positively correlated with ovarian blood flow and the increased cell proliferation and permeability of new blood vessels in ovarian stroma lead to an increase in ovarian size, which is considered as a pathophysiological feature of PCOS (Speca et al, 2007). High vascularization can cause the irregular growth of theca interna cells, influence steroidogenesis and subsequently disrupt the androgen level, which leads to hyperandrogenism (Peitsidis and Agrawal, 2010).…”

Comparative Analysis of Ovarian Volume and Antral Follicle Count Assessed by Mri and Transvaginal Ultrasonography in Women With Pcos

“…Others say it is generally a metabolic dysfunction, since it is reversible. 1 The name PCOD is used when there is ultrasonographic evidence. Ultrasonographic measurements of ovarian volume and antral follicle count are of clinical importance as diagnostic features of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and as a parameter in estimation of ovarian follicular reserve in infertility care.…”