DNA methylation in polycystic ovary syndrome: Emerging evidence and challenges

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disease related to reproductive endocrine abnormalities in women of reproductive age, often accompanied by metabolic diseases such as hyperandrogenemia, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. However, the etiology and mechanism of PCOS are still unclear. In recent years, more and more studies have found that epigenetic factors play an important role in PCOS. DNA methylation is the most widely studied epigenetic modification. At present, changes of DNA methylation have been found in serum, ovarian, hypothalamus, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue of PCOS patients, and these changes are closely related to insulin resistance, lipid metabolism and follicular development of PCOS. Although the current research on DNA methylation in PCOS is not in-depth, it indicated up a good direction for future research on the etiology and mechanism of PCOS. This review discussed the relationship between DNA methylation and PCOS. It is expected to help accelerate the application of DNA methylation in the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS.