Obesity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine and metabolic heterogeneous disorder, with a likely genetic origin, influenced by environmental factors such as nutrition and physical activity. The main clinical features of PCOS are related to hyperandrogenism, such as hirsutism, acne and menstrual disorders (Moran et al., 1994; Azziz, et al., 2004; Carmina et al., 2006). PCOS is also associated with overweight or obesity (Azziz, et al., 2004), mainly abdominal adiposity (Moran et al., 1999). The etiology of PCOS is unknown. The genetic origin is based on the observation that PCOS is more frequent among the sisters and mothers of these patients (Lunde et al., 1989; Govind et al., 1999). Moreover, in a study done with twins, a higher correlation in the presence of PCOS is observed more in monozygotic than in dizygotic (Vink et al., 2006). Multiple genes related to the production of androgen, the function of the gonadotropin, the action of insulin and the regulation of energy have been evaluated. Although associations of some genes with clinical disorders of PCOS have been found, in specific regions and determined polymorphisms, the findings of studies and in different populations have not been consistent (Wood et al., 2003).