Background and Objectives: In women of reproductive age, leukocytosis is a risk factor that bridges low-grade chronic inflammation (metabolic inflammation), metabolic changes, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and is a potential early predictor of PCOS. This study aims to explore the predictive role of quantitative changes in white blood cells (WBCs) and neutrophils in PCOS-associated metabolic changes. Materials and Methods: A total number of 176 blood samples were obtained from age-matched women of the reproductive period, comprising 88 PCOS cases and 88 healthy controls. Hematological, metabolic, and anthropometric indices and ultrasonic assessment were recorded. Results: Elevated levels of luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and lipid parameters except HDL-C levels, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in PCOS were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The neutrophil count and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in PCOS patients were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than their counterparts. The predictive ability of the neutrophil count and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for PCOS, and possibly its associating subclinical inflammation at optimum cut-off values for the neutrophil count and NLR of >46.62% (sensitivity 94.32% and specificity 74.42%) and >1.23 (sensitivity 71.59% and specificity 100%), respectively. With regard to the areas under the curve (AUC) and Youden indices, they constituted 0.922 and 0.697 for neutrophil count and 0.926 and 0.716 for NLR, respectively. The comparative ROC z-statistic value was 2.222 and a p = 0.026. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed no significant influence for hormonal and metabolic independent variables on the neutrophil count in PCOS cases, but, as can be expected, revealed a significant negative relationship with the other components of WBCs. Conclusion: In conclusion, relative neutrophilia and elevated NLR are potential cost-effective, sensitive, and specific predictors of PCOS that may also shed light on the mechanism of chronic low-grade inflammation that is characteristic of the disease.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly associated with metabolic abnormalities such as hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and obesity. The genetic variants of genes regulating insulin action, expression and regulation are suggested as possible factors involved in development and severity of clinical manifestations in PCOS. Aim: We investigated whether IRS-1Gly972Arg (rs1801278) polymorphism is associated with increased risk of PCOS in Kashmiri women. The correlation of various clinical, metabolic and hormonal markers with rs1801278 single nucleotide polymorphism was analyzed. The genotypic–phenotypic association of clinical manifestations of PCOS with the tested genetic variant was also assessed. Results: There were no significant differences in allele frequency (OR = 0.87, CI = 0.59–1.29, χ² = 0.456, p = 0.499) or genotypic distribution (χ² = 3.73, p = 0.15) between PCOS women and controls. No significant association was also found in the dominant (OR = 1.63, χ² = 0.377, p = 0.53), recessive (OR = 0.79, χ² = 1.01, p = 0.31) or heterozygote vs. homozygote (OR = 1.34, χ² = 1.53, p = 0.22) genotype model analysis. The genotype–phenotype correlation analysis showed that the Arg allele was significantly associated with increased central adiposity markers hip circumference (p = 0.012), and body adiposity index BAI (p = 0.002) in the recessive model in PCOS women. The two-hour glucose (p = 0.04) and insulin resistance marker HOMA (p = 0.44) were significantly higher in Arg allele carriers. The androgen excess markers dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate DHEAS (p = 0.02), Ferriman–Gallwey score (p = 0.012), prevalence of acne, alopecia and hirsutism (all p < 0.01) were significantly elevated in the wild-type GG genotype. Conclusions:IRS-1Gly972Arg genetic variant does not increase the risk of PCOS in Kashmiri women. However, this polymorphism is associated with clinical manifestations of insulin resistance, obesity and hyperandrogenism, suggesting its possible role in variable phenotypic manifestations of PCOS.

Background. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine metabolic disorder affecting premenopausal women. Besides primary features like anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries, women with PCOS present with multiple metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychological disorders. The etiology is multifactorial and the different genetic variants are suggested to play an important role in pathogenesis. Insulin resistance is a ubiquitous finding in PCOS and SNPs in genes involved in the insulin signaling pathway are possible candidates that can explain the development of clinical manifestations of PCOS. Aim. We aimed to investigate the association of INSR His1058 C/T (rs1799817) single nucleotide polymorphism with PCOS in Kashmiri women. The genotypic-phenotypic correlation of the tested SNP with hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and metabolic markers was evaluated. Results. The allele frequency (OR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.67–1.48, χ² = 0.01, ) and genotype distribution (χ² = 3.73, ) in INSR C/T polymorphism were comparable with controls. No significant association was found with PCOS in dominant ( ), recessive ( ), and homo vs. het. ( ) genotype models. Genotype-phenotype correlation analysis revealed that variant TT genotype had significantly higher HOMA ( ) and reduced insulin sensitivity QUICKI ( ) values. There was no significant variation in the prevalence of hirsutism, acne, alopecia, menstrual disturbances, acanthosis nigricans, and obesity (all ) in different INSR C/T genotypes. Conclusion. The INSR C/T SNP (rs1799817) does not increase the risk of PCOS in Kashmiri women. This SNP is unlikely to play a significant role in the development and manifestation of clinical symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome.