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Published on: October 25, 2024
Abnormalities in copper status associated with diminished ovarian reserve: A case-control and cross-sectional study
Ke Xu1, Jingyi Shao1, Kaixuan Cai2
1Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Objective:
This study aimed to illustrate the copper status of diminished ovarian reserve in Chinese women, especially the effects of copper, ceruloplasmin, non-ceruloplasmin-bound copper (NCC) and CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD1).
Methods:
This case-control, cross-sectional investigation included women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR group, n = 35) and matched normal ovarian reserve (NOR group, n = 35). The serum levels of copper, ceruloplasmin, NCC, SOD1, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, testosterone, and anti-Müllerian hormone were tested and analyzed.
Results:
The serum copper concentrations (60.88%), NCC (54.75%) and SOD1 (54.75%) in the DOR group were significantly higher than those in the NOR group (all P < 0.001), and the concentrations of the three markers were higher in most subgroups (P < 0.001). The correlation analysis verified the correlation between copper status and impaired ovarian function. Additionally, linear regression analysis showed that NCC and SOD1 levels were negatively correlated with anti-Müllerian hormone (P < 0.05 or 0.001).
Conclusion:
Our exploration found significant increases in copper, NCC and SOD1 levels in DOR and suggests a possible link. Copper status is expected to serve as the predictive marker for DOR.
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