Biomaterial Database

Evidence from animal models on the pathogenesis of PCOS. 2018

K A Walters, and M J Bertoldo, and D J Handelsman

Fertility and Research Centre, School of Women's & Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. Electronic address: k.walters@unsw.edu.au.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine condition in women, and is characterized by reproductive, endocrine and metabolic features. However, there is no simple unequivocal diagnostic test for PCOS, its etiology remains unknown and there is no cure. Hence, the management of PCOS is suboptimal as it relies on the ad hoc empirical management of its symptoms only. Decisive studies are required to unravel the origins of PCOS, but due to ethical and logistical reasons these are not possible in humans. Experimental animal models for PCOS have been established which have enhanced our understanding of the mechanisms underlying PCOS and propose novel mechanism-based therapies to treat the condition. This review examines the findings from various animal models to reveal the current knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning the development of PCOS, and also provides insights into the implications from these studies for improved clinical management of this disorder.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011085	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome	A complex disorder characterized by infertility, HIRSUTISM; OBESITY; and various menstrual disturbances such as OLIGOMENORRHEA; AMENORRHEA; ANOVULATION. Polycystic ovary syndrome is usually associated with bilateral enlarged ovaries studded with atretic follicles, not with cysts. The term, polycystic ovary, is misleading.	Stein-Leventhal Syndrome,Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome,Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 1,Sclerocystic Ovarian Degeneration,Sclerocystic Ovaries,Sclerocystic Ovary Syndrome,Ovarian Degeneration, Sclerocystic,Ovarian Syndrome, Polycystic,Ovary Syndrome, Polycystic,Ovary, Sclerocystic,Sclerocystic Ovary,Stein Leventhal Syndrome,Syndrome, Polycystic Ovary,Syndrome, Stein-Leventhal
D004195	Disease Models, Animal	Naturally-occurring or experimentally-induced animal diseases with pathological processes analogous to human diseases.	Animal Disease Model,Animal Disease Models,Disease Model, Animal
D004703	Endocrine System	The system of glands that release their secretions (hormones) directly into the circulatory system. In addition to the ENDOCRINE GLANDS, included are the CHROMAFFIN SYSTEM and the NEUROSECRETORY SYSTEMS.	Endocrine Systems,System, Endocrine,Systems, Endocrine
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia