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Oxidative Stress Impact on the Fertility of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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Studies on Women's Health

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common endocrine abnormality in reproductive-age women. The pathophysiology of this condition remains unclear. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome present a diverse combination of clinical complications including, psychological problems, reproductive alterations, and metabolic sequelae. In affected women, hyperglycemia, independent of obesity, promotes reactive oxygen species. The resultant oxidative stress causes extensive cellular injury, demonstrated by protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage. This oxidative stress may directly stimulate hyperandrogenism. Additionally, serum total antioxidant status, is diminished in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, decreasing the body’s defense against an oxidative environment. Treatment through lifestyle intervention and medical/surgical therapy may improve metabolic consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome, including insulin resistance and reproductive status.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Desk A19.1, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Anamar Aponte

  2. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lerner College of Medicine Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

Authors
  1. Anamar Aponte
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  2. Ashok Agarwal
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Correspondence to Ashok Agarwal .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

  2. Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool, L8 7SS, United Kingdom

    Nabil Aziz

  3. College of Medicine, OB/Gyn Department, University of South Alabama, Cox Street, Suite A 251, Mobile, 36604, Alabama, USA

    Botros Rizk

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Aponte, A., Agarwal, A. (2013). Oxidative Stress Impact on the Fertility of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome . In: Agarwal, A., Aziz, N., Rizk, B. (eds) Studies on Women's Health. Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-041-0_10

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