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Updated: May 11, 2026
A Modified Technique for Inducing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Mice
Published on: July 5, 2024
Transforming growth factor-β1 and its receptor soluble endoglin are altered in polycystic ovary syndrome during
Reshef Tal1, David B Seifer, Aya Shohat-Tal
1Genesis Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA. resheft@gmail.com
Objective:
To evaluate the relationship between transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and its receptor, soluble endoglin (sENG), in the serum and follicular fluid of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) compared with that of non-PCOS normal ovulating women during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS).
Design:
Prospective case-control study.
Setting:
Academic-affiliated assisted reproductive technology unit.
Patient(S):
Fourteen PCOS and 14 matched non-PCOS control women undergoing COS.
Intervention(S):
Serum was collected on day 3 (baseline), day of hCG, and day of retrieval. Follicular fluid (FF) was collected on day of oocyte retrieval. ELISA was performed to determine TGF-β1 and sENG protein levels.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Serum and FF levels of TGF-β1 and sENG.
Result(S):
Serum TGF-β1 did not change significantly during COS but was increased in PCOS compared with non-PCOS women on day 3 and days of hCG administration and oocyte retrieval. Serum sENG increased after hCG administration only in the non-PCOS control group. In addition, serum sENG was decreased in PCOS compared with non-PCOS control women on the days of hCG and retrieval. Accordingly, the bioavailability of TGF-β1 (TGF-β1/sENG ratio) was increased in women with PCOS compared with non-PCOS controls at all three time points. No differences in either factor were noted in FF between groups.
Conclusion(S):
The increased TGF-β1 bioavailability in PCOS is not only due to increased TGF-β1 levels but also to decreased levels of its receptor, sENG. These data suggest that increased TGF-β1 bioavailability may contribute to the pathogenesis of PCOS and its increased risk for ovarian hyperstimulation.
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