Spexin as a marker of ovarian dysfunction in PCOS related infertility

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in young women with complex underlying pathophysiology including obesity and insulin resistance as a key feature. Spexin is a protein hormone involved in diverse body metabolic events and disorders of central and peripheral gonadal function that is the core of this study which aims to evaluate its role in PCOS-related infertility.

Material and methods: Sixty women with PCOS are divided into two groups, [group I=30 fertile and group II=30 non-fertile] and 30 healthy fertile women as a control group. Spexin, AMH, HOMA-IR, and levels were measured by ELISA and Cobas E411.

Results: Spexin levels were significantly lower in PCOS subjects compared with the control group (p< 0.001), while the statistical data showed no significant differences between the fertile and non-fertile groups with a p-value (0.79). Spexin showed a negative correlation with insulin resistance, BMI, LH, and Testosterone in PCOS women.

Conclusion: The significant association of Spexin with LH, IR, and androgens suggest its possible role in PCOS pathophysiology, additionally Spexin showed a highly significant screening value and reliable diagnostic methods to differentiate PCOS cases versus control, as well as good diagnostic behavior to diagnose infertile cases but with less screening value.