OXIDATIVE STRESS AND GENETIC INSTABILITIES IN POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hyper androgenic disorder associated with chronic oligo-anovulation and polycystic ovarian morphology. Women with PCOS have an increased risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and preterm labour. The pathogenesis of PCOS is however unclear but is thought to be multifactorial consisting of endocrine, metabolic, genetic and environmental factors. The present study consists of 40 study subjects with PCOS and 35 healthy control subjects. Detailed demographic, clinical and lifestyle characteristics were recorded and compared with other clinical parameters. The association of various physiological and lifestyle factors which leads to oxidative stress was analysed by evaluating MDA concentration and subsequent DNA damages, if any, was quantified by Cytokinesis-block Micronuclei (CBMN) assay. Study subjects demonstrated a statistically significant increased serum MDA level and mean CBMN frequency than the control subjects. Subjects with abnormal biochemical, physiological and endocrinological characters showed increased mean CBMN frequency. These findings denoted that there is a strong evidence of genetic instability among subjects with PCOS. Hence the study can be concluded that, oxidative stress and somatic DNA damages may play a major role in the risk of PCOS and further complications. Optimal metabolic control and lifestyle modification can reduce the unwanted clinical symptoms of infertility. Healthy lifestyle factors, including exercise, are associated significantly with reduced DNA damages.