Kisspeptins, a family of neuropeptides encoded by the Kiss1 gene that are mainly expressed in discrete neuronal populations of the hypothalamus, have recently emerged as essential upstream regulatory elements of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone). The aims of this study are to measure Kisspeptin levels in women with PCOS, a condition associated with aberrant gonadotropin secretion and hyperandrogenemia; and investigate the possible correlations between kisspeptin and PCOS-related reproductive and metabolic disturbances.
Ninety women with PCOS (BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2) and one hundred control (BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2) (ovulatory women without clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenemia) were selected. Blood samples were collected between day 3 and day 6 of a spontaneous bleeding episode in the PCOS groups and a menstrual cycle of the controls, at 8:00 AM, after an overnight fast. Circulating levels of LH, FSH, T, androstenedione (A), hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), insulin, glucose, and kisspeptin were measured. No significant differences in level kisspeptin were detected between the PCOS and control groups. LH levels were significantly higher in PCOS group compared to controls, and positive significant correlation between kisspeptin and LH levels was observed
Conclusion: Although kisspeptin levels were found to be normal in women with PCOS; yet, there is a relationship between kisspeptin levels and hormonal pattern of PCOS.