The relative copy number of mitochondrial DNA in peripheral blood as a prognostic marker for the development of polycystic ovarian syndrome in west Iraqi women

Abstract

Mitochondria are the primary producers of free radicals, particularly reactive oxygen species (ROS), so disruptions in mitochondrial activity at the cellular level may have an impact on overall metabolic balance, leading to the hypothesis that anomalies in mitochondrial metabolism markers may be associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).We sought to assess mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number as an indication of mitochondrial malfunction induced by higher oxidative stress (OS) in women with PCOS, as well as, to study the independent relationship between mtDNA copy number and PCOS development. The case-control research comprised ninety women, sixty with PCOS and thirty healthy women as controls at reproductive age.

Our result revealed that women with PCOS had significantly lower mitochondrial DNA copy number compared to non-PCOS group (P = 0.000). In the PCOS group, reduce mtDNA copy number was adversely correlated with body mass index and insulin resistance indicators, Meantime, positively correlated with the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) score. The Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) indicating the diagnostic value of mitochondrial copy number in the development of PCOS, with an area under the curve of 0.871 (0.759–0.984) at (p = 0.000) and sensitivity 89 % for parameter. Furthermore, we discovered that the relationship between PCOS and decreased mtDNA copy number is independent of other characteristics. In conclusion, according to above, reduce mtDNA copy number may be a risk factor in PCOS development in women.