Investigation of serum orexin-A levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

Orexin-A (OXA) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide implicated in glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity. Given the central role of insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), this study evaluated serum OXA levels in women with PCOS.

METHODS

This cross-sectional case-control study included 88 women with PCOS and 88 age- and body mass index-matched controls. Serum OXA levels were quantified using a commercial ELISA kit.

RESULTS

Serum OXA levels were significantly lower in women with PCOS than in controls (321.53 ng/L vs. 385.06 ng/L, p = 0.012). A significant negative correlation was observed between the modified Ferriman-Gallwey score and serum OXA level. In the ROC analysis, a serum OXA level of 369.55 ng/L yielded a sensitivity of 55.7% and a specificity of 55.7% (AUC: 0.610) for detecting PCOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum OXA concentrations were reduced in women with PCOS. Whether this reduction contributes to PCOS pathogenesis or reflects a secondary alteration remains uncertain.