Qun Wang1, Tao Huang1, Xin Shu1, Shi-Gang Zhao1, Yu Liang2, Tahir Muhammad1, Fei Gao3, Han Zhao1, Hong-Bin Liu1. 1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, China. 2. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China. 3. State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by chronic ovulatory dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) encoding a transcription factor involved in the differentiation of granulosa cells (GCs) regulates androgen receptor in the development of male genitalia. However, the expression pattern and possible role of WT1 in ovaries of PCOS patients are still unknown. METHODS: GCs from 95 PCOS patients (PCOS group) and 62 healthy controls (control group) were isolated. The expression of WT1 in GCs was quantified using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The correlation between WT1 expression and clinical characteristics was evaluated in PCOS patients. RESULTS: WT1 expression was increased in PCOS patients compared with the normal controls. The expression of WT1 was moderately correlated with testosterone (r = 0.334, p = 0.001) and luteinizing hormone (r = 0.357, p = 0.001) levels and the antral follicle counts (r = 0.337, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided novel insights into the relationship between hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries of PCOS and WT1.
BACKGROUND:Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by chronic ovulatory dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) encoding a transcription factor involved in the differentiation of granulosa cells (GCs) regulates androgen receptor in the development of male genitalia. However, the expression pattern and possible role of WT1 in ovaries of PCOSpatients are still unknown. METHODS: GCs from 95 PCOSpatients (PCOS group) and 62 healthy controls (control group) were isolated. The expression of WT1 in GCs was quantified using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The correlation between WT1 expression and clinical characteristics was evaluated in PCOSpatients. RESULTS:WT1 expression was increased in PCOSpatients compared with the normal controls. The expression of WT1 was moderately correlated with testosterone (r = 0.334, p = 0.001) and luteinizing hormone (r = 0.357, p = 0.001) levels and the antral follicle counts (r = 0.337, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided novel insights into the relationship between hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries of PCOS and WT1.