Posted by I chose to look into Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) which covers one of the objectives from unit 9, “Know the structure and function of reproductive organs”. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder that affects 1 out of every 10 women during their reproductive years. If one were to acquire PCOS, their ovaries would become enlarged and in some cases dysfunctional (Sadeghi, 2022). Someone with this condition usually has one ovary with a volume of 10mL or 10 cysts on average that are about 2-9mm in diameter however, it is possible to have both (Singh, 2023). Although the exact cause of this condition is not known, the underlying cause is believed to be because of high levels in luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and increased rate of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (Sadeghi, 2022).
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is produced within the hypothalamus and is then released in the hypophyseal portal circulation. This will then act on G proteins at gonadotropic cells. Gonadotropic cells are what produce luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Gonadotropin-releasing hormone is what stimulates the release of FSH and LH. Follicle stimulating hormone stimulates granulosa cells which lead to the maturation of ovarian follicles during the follicular phase. After maturation of ovarian follicles, the dominant follicle will take control to secrete estradiol and suppress FSH production. Once enough estradiol has been produced, the hypothalamus will trigger a surge of GnRH to stimulate the secretion of gonadotropic hormones. During this time FHS and LH will peak and ovulation will begin to occur. In PCOS, the increased rate of GnRH will increase the ratio of LH and FSH. This will then lead to the ovaries producing too much androgen and granulosa cells producing too little aromatase to be able to transform androgens to estradiol (Orlowski, 2023).
Factors that come along and play a part with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome are infertility, obesity, insulin resistance, or genetics. Effects that someone may experience with PCOS are hair loss, alopecia, acne, or infertility problems. There are a few different ways to help manage PCOS such as therapeutic remedies, diet and lifestyle alterations, and medications. Medications can help return menstrual and ovulation cycles back to normal and lower androgen levels which would allow transformation of androgens into estradiol. Changing your lifestyle ways could look like taking prebiotics and probiotics to help improve your gut microbiota and exercising. Therapeutic remedies consist of miRNA and interleukin therapy (IL)-22. miRNA are small noncoding RNAs that help regulate steroid hormone synthesis, follicular development and maturation, adipogenesis, and insulin signaling regulation. (IL)-22 are intestinal immune cells that help with inflammation, promote wound healing, restoration of tissue integrity, improve insulin resistance, ovarian dysfunction and infertility (Singh, 2023).
Work Cited:
Sadeghi, H. M., Adeli, I., Calina, D., Docea, A. O., Mousavi, T., Daniali, M., Nikfar, S., Tsatsakis, A., & Abdollahi, M. (2022, January 6). Polycystic ovary syndrome: A comprehensive review of pathogenesis, management, and drug repurposing. International journal of molecular sciences. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8775814/
Singh, S., Pal, N., Shubham, S., Sarma, D. K., Verma, V., Marotta, F., & Kumar, M. (2023, February 11). Polycystic ovary syndrome: Etiology, current management, and Future Therapeutics. Journal of clinical medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9964744/#sec5-jcm-12-01454 Orlowski, M. (2023, May 1). Physiology, follicle stimulating hormone. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535442/
Orlowski, M. (2023, May 1). Physiology, follicle stimulating hormone. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535442/