Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Evaluation of Hepatic Glucose Production in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mouse Model
Published on: March 5, 2022
An evolutionary approach to explain the high frequency of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Sabine Eggers1, Dalva Megumi Hashimoto, Sylvia Kirchengast
1Laboratório de Antropologia Biológica, Depto de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, University of São Paulo, Brazil. saeggers@usp.br
Abstract:
Infertility and sterility are worldwide phenomena with a long history. At a first glance a condition causing sterility seems to be paradox in an evolutionary sense because it contradicts the biogenetical imperative. In the present paper an evolutionary explanation for the high prevalence rate of PCOS, the most common endocrine disorder causing female infertility, is presented. The symptomatology of PCOS is described and the high prevalence rates of PCOS are explained by means of Darwinian medicine, kin selection and allomothering.
Related Concept Videos
Oogenesis
Oogenesis
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Ovarian Cycle
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...

