ZINC AND COPPER LEVELS AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES

Background: Multiple logistic regression analysis of several metabolic variables between polycystic ovary syndrome and control groups revealed that zinc level was the most important variable to predict polycystic ovarian syndrome. Objective: This study was designed to illustrate the correlation between zinc and copper levels with the biochemical changes associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. Materials and Methods: Twelve women with polycystic ovary syndrome and twelve healthy and normal ovulatory women were included in this study. The serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, progesterone, testosterone and prolactin were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Serum zinc and copper was analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Student (t) test was performed for comparison and Pearson's correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to quantify the correlation between the biochemical parameters in the study. Results: Both zinc and copper levels showed no significant correlation with other biochemical markers associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. The results revealed an increase in serum zinc concentration in polycystic syndrome group, while it showed no significant difference in copper levels between polycystic ovary syndrome and healthy groups. Conclusion: The study concluded that the rise in zinc level in polycystic ovary syndrome group might be due to the increase in oxidative stress within the body that put the antioxidant defense system in a hyperactive state in order to compensate for this stress.