Micronutrients and polycystic ovary syndrome in the IEU OpenGWAS project: a two-Sample unidirectional Mendelian...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder. Research suggests a potential link between certain micronutrients and PCOS development, but the exact cause-and-effect relationship is unclear. This research utilizes data from extensive genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to investigate the possible association between micronutrients and PCOS via Mendelian randomization (MR). The findings aim to inform future research and guide clinical practice. We performed a two-sample unidirectional MR analysis using genetic data from European populations. The MR analysis revealed no statistically significant association between the 11 micronutrient-related genes and PCOS (all P-values > 0.05). Phosphate, magnesium, folate, vitamin B12, D, iron, selenium, and copper odds ratios (ORs) less than 1, calcium, vitamin C, and zinc ORs greater than 1. Sensitivity analyses revealed no indications of heterogeneity, pleiotropy, or outliers, hence affirming the robustness of these findings. High serum phosphate, magnesium, folate, vitamin B12, D, iron, selenium and copper levels may be potentially protective against PCOS. High serum calcium, vitamin C and zinc levels may be potential risk factors for PCOS. These insights are important for understanding PCOS's pathophysiology and improving clinical management.