Electrochemical immunosensors targeting hormonal biomarkers for polycystic ovary syndrome: Recent advances and analytical bottlenecks

Abstract

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial endocrine disorder affecting up to 13 % of women of reproductive age, with nearly 70 % remaining undiagnosed due to the limitations of conventional diagnostic methods. These traditional approaches, based on imaging, hormonal assays, and symptom evaluation, are often delayed, nonspecific, and unsuitable for large-scale screening. Recent advances in electrochemical biosensors targeting hormonal biomarkers such as Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG), and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) offer a promising alternative for rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective PCOS diagnosis. This review critically evaluates electrochemical biosensor technologies developed in last five years for the detection of PCOS, discussing material choices, electrode fabrication strategies, signal transduction techniques (EIS, DPV, CV), and their analytical performance. Key limitations in analytical design, clinical validation, and commercialization are identified, including challenges with multiplexed detection, stability in real biological matrices, and scalability. Finally, solution strategies and future research directions are proposed to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world point-of-care diagnostic tools for PCOS.