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Review
. 2022 Mar;29(3):680-694.
doi: 10.1007/s43032-021-00516-3. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: the Epigenetics Behind the Disease

Matheus Credendio Eiras  1 , Daniel Pascoalino Pinheiro  2 , Kalil Andrade Mubarac Romcy  3 , Rui Alberto Ferriani  1 , Rosana Maria Dos Reis  4 , Cristiana Libardi Miranda Furtado  5   6
Affiliations
Review

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: the Epigenetics Behind the Disease

Matheus Credendio Eiras et al. Reprod Sci. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders, affecting approximately 5-20% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is a multifactorial, complex, and heterogeneous disease, characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovaries, which may lead to impaired fertility. Besides the reproductive outcomes, multiple comorbidities, such as metabolic disturbances, insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, are associated with PCOS. In addition to the clear genetic basis, epigenetic alterations may also play a central role in PCOS outcomes, as environmental and hormonal alterations directly affect clinical manifestations and PCOS development. Here, we highlighted the epigenetic modifications in the multiplicity of clinical manifestations, as well as environmental epigenetic disruptors, as intrauterine hormonal and metabolic alterations affecting embryo development and the adulthood lifestyle, which may contribute to PCOS development. Additionally, we also discussed the new approaches for future studies and potential epigenetic biomarkers for the treatment of associated comorbidities and improvement in quality of life of women with PCOS.

Keywords: DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Histone modifications; Metabolic syndrome; Polycystic ovary syndrome; ncRNA.

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