Obesity Results in Lower Integrin Expression in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) during window of implantation

Muhammad Azrai Abu^1*Fazilah Abdul Hamid¹Mohd Helmy Mokhtar²Abdul Kadir Abdul karim¹Nor Haslinda Abd Aziz¹Azantee Yazmie Abdul Wahab³Mohd Faizal Ahmad¹

• ¹Department of obstetrics and gynecology, UKM Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• ²Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bandar Tun Razak,, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur,, Malaysia
• ³Department of Biomedical Science, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that is characterized by hormonal imbalances and ovarian dysfunction. Obesity is also a prevalent issue that has been linked to the development of PCOS. The present study aimed to investigate the gene expression of αvβ3 integrin, mucin-1, and E-cadherin in obese and non-obese women with and without PCOS. Methods: This prospective study was undertaken at the Advance Reproductive Centre, at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) from January 2019 to June 2021. A total of 40 women were recruited for the study and divided equally (n = 10) into four groups, namely i) control with normal body weight ii) control obese iii) PCOS with normal body weight iv) PCOS obese. An endometrial tissue sample was collected after 10 days of daily oral micronised progesterone (Utrogestan 200 mg) in PCOS group. In fertile or control group, midsecretory phase endometrial biopsy done following 7 days post ovulation. Then, Total RNA was isolated from endometrial tissue. Gene expression was analyzed using RT-qPCR. Results: The results showed that the mRNA expression of αVβ3-integrin was significantly decreased in the PCOS obesity group compared to the PCOS normal body weight group and the control normal body weight group. No significant differences were observed in mucin-1 and E-cadherin expression between the groups. Conclusion: αvβ3 integrin play an important role in the development of window of implantation in obese PCOS individuals. Further research is needed to confirm these results and to identify the potential mechanisms underlying this association.