The prolactin receptor gene (PRLR) is linked and associated with the risk of polycystic ovarian syndrome

The prolactin receptor gene (PRLR) may contribute to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) since it plays important roles in physiological ovarian functions. PRLR-knockout mice have irregular cycles and subfertility and variants in or around the PRLR gene were associated in humans with female testosterone levels and recurrent miscarriage. We tested 40 variants in the PRLR gene in 212 Italian families phenotyped by type 2 diabetes (T2D) and PCOS and found two intronic PRLR-variants (rs13436213 and rs1604428) significantly linked to and/or associated with the risk of PCOS. This is the first study to report PRLR as a novel risk gene in PCOS. Functional studies are needed to confirm these results.

Variation in genes and hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in female mood disorders - A systematic review and meta-analysis

Women's increased risk for depression during reproductive transitions suggests an involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of HPO functioning in female mood disorders. Inclusionary criteria were: i) women suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or a depressive disorder, ii) assessment of HPO-axis related biomarkers, iii) a case-control design. Sixty-three studies (N = 5,129) were included. There was evidence for PMDD to be paralleled by lower luteal oestradiol levels. Women with depression unrelated to reproductive transition showed lower testosterone levels than healthy controls and there was some evidence for lower dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels. There were no differences in HPO-related parameters between women with pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopausal depression and controls. Women with PMDD and depression unrelated to reproductive transitions exhibit specific changes in the HPO-axis, which potentially contribute to their symptoms. Further research into reproductive mood disorders characterised by extreme endocrine changes is warranted.

Metformin administration during pregnancy attenuated the long-term maternal metabolic and cognitive impairments in a mouse model of gestational diabetes

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disease that can have long-term adverse effects on the cognitive function of mothers. In our study, we explored the changes in metabolic health and cognitive function in mice of middle- and old- age after exposure to GDM, and whether metformin therapy during pregnancy provided long-term benefits.

Results: Mice with GDM demonstrated significant cognitive impairment in old age, which was associated with insulin resistance. Gestational metformin therapy was shown to increase insulin sensitivity and improve cognition. The ovarian aging rate was also accelerated in mice exposed to GDM during pregnancy, which may be related to fatty acid metabolism in the ovaries.

Conclusion: Treatment with metformin during pregnancy was shown to improve fatty acid metabolism in ovarian tissues.

Method: During pregnancy, mice were fed with a high-fat diet (GDM group) or a low-fat diet (Control group), and a third group received metformin while receiving a high-fat diet (Treatment group). At 12 months old, the mice completed an oral glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test, Morris water maze test, female sex hormones were measured, and metabolite profiles of tissue from the ovaries, hypothalamus, and pituitary glands were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.