Aim: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial disorder with different phenotypic characteristics, the most frequent endocrine disorder in women, and the leading cause of anovulatory infertility. Kisspeptin is recognized to have a crucial function in regulating reproductive hormone production through signaling its G protein-coupled receptor to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. High kisspeptin levels have been found in PCOS patients, although other investigations show the reverse. Our study aims to contribute to the scientific literature by discussing our patient population data on this subject.

Material and Methods: Forty-two women with PCOS (mean age: 22.1±3.9) and thirty-nine healthy women (mean age: 21.3±2.6) were included in the study. Kisspeptin and routine laboratory tests were analyzed with the blood samples on the third day of menstruation. Height, weight, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body mass index (BMI), age, hirsutism, waist circumference, smoking, and irregular period data were also recorded. Comparison and correlation analyses were performed between groups, within PCOS patients, and in all individuals.

Results: Kisspeptin levels did not differ between PCOS patients and healthy women (p=0.086). PCOS patients had greater weight, BMI, free thyroxine, luteinizing hormone, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, platelet, and HOMA-IR values. Kisspeptin and thyroid-stimulating hormone correlated within all individuals, and kisspeptin and progesterone correlated within PCOS patients.

Conclusion: Contrary to the literature, kisspeptin levels in PCOS patients did not differ from healthy women. The absence of differences in kisspeptin levels between PCOS patients and healthy women may be attributed to the hypothalamic or ovarian subtypes of PCOS. Further research is needed to enlighten the topic entirely.