Clinical significance of microRNA-30d-5p and TGF-β/Smad2 pathway expression levels in polycystic ovary syndrome patients

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical significance of miR-30d-5p and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad2 pathway expression levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients.MethodsA total of 82 PCOS patients undergoing their first in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) (PCOS group) and 82 non-PCOS patients undergoing their first IVF-ET due to fallopian tube factors (control group) were included in this retrospective study. The levels of miR-30d-5p, TGF-β1, Smad2, sex hormones, and insulin in follicular fluid exosomes on the day of oocyte retrieval were compared between the two groups. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between these indicators in the PCOS group. ROC curve analysis was performed to predict the clinical value of miR-30d-5p, TGF-β1, and Smad2 levels in the PCOS group for low 2PN numbers.ResultsThere were statistically significant differences between the groups in miR-30d-5p, estrogen, progesterone, TGF-β1, Smad2, testosterone, and insulin levels (all P<0.05). In the PCOS group, miR-30d-5p was negatively correlated with testosterone and insulin levels, and positively correlated with estrogen and progesterone levels; TGF-β1 and Smad2 were positively correlated with testosterone and insulin levels, and negatively correlated with estrogen and progesterone levels (all P0.7 in predicting low 2PN numbers in PCOS patients.ConclusionThe miR-30d-5p and TGF-β/Smad2 pathways are closely related to ovarian sex hormone and insulin levels in patients with PCOS and may participate in the development and progression of PCOS.