Zainab Ameen Khadhum
Wasit University Collage of Science Iraq
Prof. Dr. Mahdi Saber Al-deresawi
Wasit University Collage of Science Iraq
ABSTRACT
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder affecting reproductive-aged women, characterized by hormonal imbalances and metabolic dysregulation. The CYP19A1 gene encodes aromatase, an enzyme critical for estrogen biosynthesis, and its expression may play a role in the pathophysiology of PCOS. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate CYP19A1 gene expression in PCOS patients and assess its relationship with key reproductive hormones, including luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2). Methods: A total of 50 women diagnosed with PCOS based on the Rotterdam criteria and 20 healthy controls were recruited from Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital and Al-Karama Teaching Hospital in Wasit Province, Iraq. Hormonal profiling was performed using the Addendum-Mini VIDAS automated system, and CYP19A1 gene expression was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: PCOS patients exhibited significantly elevated levels of testosterone (1.58 ± 0.17 ng/mL, p < 0.05), prolactin (18.42 ± 1.12 ng/mL, p < 0.05), LH (10.98 ± 0.89 IU/L, p < 0.05), and FSH (8.35 ± 0.42 IU/L, p ≤ 0.01) compared to the control group (T: 0.412 ± 0.04 ng/mL, PRL: 13.12 ± 1.13 ng/mL, LH: 5.06 ± 0.40 IU/L, FSH: 6.83 ± 0.34 IU/L). Conversely, estradiol levels were significantly reduced in PCOS patients (39.73 ± 2.76 pg/mL) compared to controls (49.73 ± 3.43 pg/mL, p < 0.05). CYP19A1 gene expression was significantly upregulated in PCOS patients (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed no significant association between CYP19A1 expression and E2, PRL, FSH, or T levels. However, a significant positive correlation was observed between CYP19A1 gene expression and LH levels (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: PCOS patients exhibit hormonal imbalances, including elevated LH, PRL, T, and FSH levels, alongside decreased E2 levels. The study also found increased CYP19A1 gene expression in PCOS patients, with a significant correlation between CYP19A1 expression and LH levels, suggesting a potential role of this gene in PCOS pathogenesis. These findings highlight the need for further research into the molecular mechanisms underlying PCOS and the potential of CYP19A1 as a biomarker for disease severity and progression
Keywords: CYP19A1, Reproductive Hormones, Real Time PCR, Mini VIDAS.
