Background & objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder and main cause of infertility due to anovulation in reproductive aged women.With regard to the important role of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia in the pathophysiology of this syndrome and the role of zinc in structure and function of insulin hormone, as zinc dishomeostasis has adverse effect on the synthesis and secretion of insulin that lead to exacerbation of insulin resistance condition  therefore the aim of this study was to assess serum zinc and insulin concentrations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Material & Methods: Sixty-five women with polycystic ovary syndrome who were referred to infertility and midwifery Clinic of Alzahra Women’s Hospital in Tabriz city, enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Serum zinc concentration was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum insulin level was measured with ELISA method and serum glucose level was measured by enzymatic glucose-oxidaze method. Statistical analyses were performed with descriptive-analytical methods. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: In this study means of body mass index, waist circumference, fasting serum zinc, glucose, and insulin levels and mean intake of dietary zinc were: 29.39±1.65kg/m², 97.24±6.42cm, 77.18±5.41µg/dl, 94.40±6.86 mg/dl, 18.33±8.24 µU/ml, 5.45±0.8 mg/day, respectively. There were significant negative relationships between serum zinc and serum insulin, insulin resistance index in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (r = -0.44, P= 0.001).

Conclusion: We recommend the nutritional-metabolic importance of zinc in polycystic ovary syndrome, and encourage the patients in consumption of zinc contents foods like marine meals and nuts.

Key Words: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), insulin resistance, serum zinc, insulin

Source: Urmia Med J 2011: 22(2): 163 ISSN: 1027-3727