Apelin-36 and Copeptin Levels in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS is conventionally defined as a combination of hyperandrogenism and anovulation with polycystic ovaries. In many countries, it represents the leading cause of female infertility. The specific pathophysiology of this syndrome has not yet been established; however it is associated with the presence of insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes mellitus type 2, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma. The studied group consisted of 50 patients with PCOS who were subdivided according to BMI into 2 subgroups (1st with MBI<25 and the 2nd BMI ≥ 25) and 30 apparently healthy women (as a control group and also were divided into 2 subgroups 1st BMI<25 and the 2nd ≥ 25). Lipid profile, fasting insulin level, HOMA-IR, FSH, LH, Prolactin, E2, FT4, TSH, Free testosterone and serum apelin-36 and copeptin were done to all subjects. There were increased in apelin-36 level, copeptin, fasting insulin level, HOMA-IR, LH level, LH/FSH ratio and free testosterone level and lower FSH and E2 levels when comparing patients with PCOS with controls, while non-obese PCOS patient's exhibit increased TG level, LH/ FSH ratio and free testosterone but lower FSH and E2 levels than matched controls. Moreover obese PCOS exhibit increased AP-36 level, copeptin, fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR than non-obese PCOS. AP-36 level and copeptin are positively correlated with BMI in patients with PCOS and are not directly implicated in the pathogenesis of PCOS, but might be involved as an adipokine that is affected by BMI.