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Semin Reprod Med 2021; 39(03/04): 102-110
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729841
Review Article

Metabolomic Biomarkers in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Review of the Evidence

Simon Alesi‡   *
1   Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
,
Drishti Ghelani‡   *
1   Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
,
Aya Mousa
1   Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
› Institutsangaben
Funding This work received no specific funding. A.M. is supported by a Peter Doherty Biomedical Research Fellowship provided by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia.
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Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinologic condition affecting one in five women of reproductive age. PCOS is often characterized by disruptions to the menstrual cycle, development of male-pattern hair growth (hirsutism), and polycystic ovary morphology. Recently, PCOS has been linked to metabolic dysfunction, with 40 to 80% of women characterized as overweight or obese. Despite these well-known negative health effects of PCOS, 75% of sufferers remain undiagnosed. This is most likely due to the variability in symptom presentation and the lack of a definitive test for the condition. Metabolomics, which is a platform used to analyze and characterize a large number of metabolites, has recently been proposed as a potential tool for investigating the metabolic pathways that could be involved in the pathophysiology of PCOS. In doing so, novel biomarkers could be identified to improve diagnosis and treatment of PCOS. This review aims to summarize the findings of recent metabolomic studies that highlight metabolic-specific molecules which are deranged in PCOS, to identify potential biomarkers for the condition. Current limitations for metabolomic studies are discussed, as well as future directions to progress the field toward further validation and integration into clinical practice.

Keywords

polycystic ovary syndrome - metabolomics - biomarkers - metabolites

Authors' Contributions

S.A. and D.G. reviewed the literature and co-wrote the first draft. S.A. revised and edited the manuscript. A.M. conceptualized and determined the scope of the manuscript, supervised the review process, and revised and edited the manuscript. All authors meet ICMJE criteria for authorship and have approved the final version for publication.


* Equal contribution as joint first author.




Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
04. Mai 2021

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