Neuroscience UMH Works to Predict Risk of Most Common Reproductive Disorder in Women

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive disorder among women. It is characterised by reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic abnormalities, with main symptoms including lack of ovulation and irregular menstrual cycles. The Institute of Neurosciences UMH-CSIC aims to unravel the biological mechanisms of this syndrome through research to understand in detail how the condition originates and progresses.

The team, led by researcher Javier Morante, will collaborate with the laboratory headed by researcher Lourdes Ibáñez at the San Juan de Dios Foundation and the paediatric endocrinology group led by researcher Abel López-Bermejo at the Dr. Josep Trueta Biomedical Research Institute of Girona.

The work will be part of a project selected by La Marató de 3Cat, with funding of nearly 400,000 euros. These funds will be used to develop a study combining animal models and human data to advance the early diagnosis of this pathology.

"We seek to understand in detail how polycystic ovary syndrome originates and progresses, from the initial internal imbalances to the appearance of its clinical symptoms," explains Morante, whose laboratory is located on the Sant Joan d'Alacant campus of UMH. The researcher emphasises that one of the objectives is to identify genetic and metabolic biomarkers that can predict the risk of PCOS in humans.

To achieve this, advanced genetic techniques will be used in a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) animal model, which allows for the independent manipulation of organs such as the brain, ovaries, or adipose tissue. "Our model helps us understand how dysfunctional communication between these organs can lead to the disease," he adds.

As part of the study, a volunteer campaign has been launched targeting girls aged 12 to 23, with and without a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome, who are not under pharmacological treatment. Sample collection is being conducted at Sant Joan de Déu (Esplugues) and Dr. Josep Trueta (Girona) hospitals.

"Once we identify the genetic and hormonal profiles in the flies, our clinical collaborators will be able to look for those same patterns in human samples, allowing us to verify if the findings are predictive," concludes Morante.