Adipokines in Reproductive Function - a Link between Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- X Chen, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- X Jia, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- J Qiao, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Y Guan, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- J Kang, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Correspondence: Jihong Kang, Email: kangjihong{at}bjmu.edu.cn
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy associated with infertility and metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age. Dysfunction of adipose tissue has been implicated in the pathophysiology of PCOS. Increasing evidence shows that the dysregulated expression of adipokines, the secreted products of adipose tissue, plays an important role in the pathology of PCOS. Here we review the role of several identified adipokines that may act as a link between obesity and PCOS. PCOS also reciprocally influences the profile of adipokines. Insight into the underlying mechanisms will help better understand the pathology of PCOS and identify new therapeutic targets of this syndrome.
- Received 26 November 2012
- Revision received 15 January 2013
- Accepted 18 January 2013
- Accepted Preprint first posted online on 18 January 2013
