Differences in Expression of Genes Related to Steroidgenesis in Abdominal Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of Pregnant Women with and without PCOS

Abstract Background: It was hypothesized that steroid-related gene expressions in the adipose tissue (AT) of women are different between women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, little information exists regarding pregnant women suffering from PCOS when interrelationships among maternal PCOS, patient’s quality of life and offspring’s health is a consideration issue in health and diseases. Our objectives were to compare the mRNA expression levels of key steroid-converting enzymes in subcutaneous AT of PCOS vs. non-PCOS pregnant women.Methods: The subjects were 48 pregnant women (12 PCOS and 36 non–PCOS women) undergoing cesarean section, from whom abdominal subcutaneous AT samples were retrieved. Expressions of fifteen genes related to steriodogenesis were investigated using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: No significant differences were found with respect to age, BMI (before pregnancy and at delivery day), gestational period and parity among non-PCOS and PCOS pregnant women. Most of the sex steroid-converting genes except 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases2 (17BHSD2), were highly expressed on the day of delivery in subcutaneous AT. PCOS patients showed significantly higher mRNA levels of steroidgenic acute regulator (STAR; P<0.001), cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP11A1; P<0.05), 17α-hydroxylase (CYP17A1; P<0.05), and 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11BHSD1-2; P<0.05). The expression of steroid 21-hydroxylase (CYP21) in non-PCOS women was 4-fold higher than for PCOS women (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between relative expression of aromatase cytochrome P450 (CYP19A1), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase1-2 (3BHSD1-2), and 17BHSD family (1, 3, 5, 7, and 12) between the two groups.Conclusion: The expression levels of genes related to sex steroids metabolism were similar in age-matched and BMI- matched non-PCOS and PCOS pregnant women at delivery day. However, the alterations in gene expressions involved in glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoid metabolism was shown which warrants further studies regards functional activity. More attention should be given to AT of PCOS mothers that was previously ignored.