Högskolan i Skövde

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) stands out as one of the most widespread endocrine disorders affecting women, often presenting as the primary reason for infertility due to anovulation. Individuals with PCOS typically exhibit clinical and biochemical markers aligning with ultrasound findings, predisposing them to challenges such as hyperandrogenism, impaired fertility, obesity, irregular periods, excess body hair, insulin resistance, and recurrent miscarriages. The diagnosis relies on the 2003/2004 Rotterdam criteria, which identify polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through the presence of two out of three key features: anovulation, clinical or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology. The potential underlying causes of PCOS may include genetic factors, environmental influences, or maternal imprinting. The study investigated the effect of different concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the oogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster. Drosophila melanogaster, widely utilized in disease research, offers valuable insights into this syndrome. With a life cycle spanning approximately 12 days, these flies undergo metamorphosis and produce the steroid hormone ecdysone, which is analogous to human testosterone. The main aim of the study is to develop a model for studying polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) through the Drosophila melanogaster as an animal model. The data was collected by measuring the fecundity, Triglyceride concentration, and RT-qPCR. The results revealed no significant difference between the different concentrations of DHT and the control group. The results from fecundity, triglyceride assay, and RT-qPCR were notable but not significantly different. These findings suggest that additional experiments are necessary to confirm Drosophila melanogaster as a good model for PCOS.