Aim: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a leading cause of female infertility. Adipose tissue releases various adipokines, including visfatin and adiponectin, which have influence on insulin resistance (IR).Objective: To determine serum insulin levels, IR, serum visfatin and adiponectin levels in PCOS subjects.Materials and methods: Case-control study on 100 diagnosed PCOS patients (50 obese and 50 non-obese) and 100 control subjects (50 obese and 50 non obese). Investigations included serum measurement of insulin, visfatin and adiponectin using an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay and Sinbe magnum technique.Results: There were higher levels of serum fasting glucose levels, serum insulin levels, IR and visfatin levels and lower levels of adiponectin in women with PCOS irrespective of body mass index, compared to their respective controls with a p value of < 0.001.Conclusion: The study suggests that serum visfatin levels positively correlate and serum adiponectin levels negatively correlate to insulin and IR in women with PCOS irrespective of obesity. Hence they can serve as markers in women with PCOS.
Keywords: Polycystic ovarian syndrome; insulin resistance; visfatin and adiponectin.