Reduced serum and skeletal muscle MOTS c levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

Cross-sectional observational study comparing women with PCOS to healthy controls

“This study has several limitations. First, its cross-sectional design precludes determining whether alterations in MOTS-c levels are a cause or a consequence of the metabolic disturbances observed in PCOS.”

Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and age- and BMI-matched healthy controls

“Forty women with PCOS and 40 age- and BMI-matched healthy controls underwent clinical, biochemical, and hormonal phenotyping.”

80 total participants (40 PCOS, 40 controls); 12 participants underwent muscle biopsy (6 PCOS, 6 controls)

“Skeletal muscle MOTS-c expression was evaluated in a biopsy subgroup consisting of 6 women with PCOS and 6 age- and BMI-matched healthy controls.”

Data collection conducted between January and December 2023

“This study was conducted between January and December 2023 at the outpatient Endocrinology and Metabolism clinic of Hacettepe University.”

Women with PCOS had significantly lower circulating MOTS-c concentrations compared to controls

“Women with PCOS exhibited lower circulating MOTS-c concentrations compared with controls (220.2 ± 147.6 pg/mL vs. 498.3 ± 224.4 pg/mL, p < 0.001).”

Skeletal muscle MOTS-c expression was reduced in the PCOS group compared to controls

“Skeletal muscle MOTS-c expression was also reduced in the PCOS group (74.2 ± 15.2 vs. 100.0 ± 8.5 arbitrary units; p = 0.005).”

Serum MOTS-c levels were inversely associated with total testosterone and total cholesterol

“Serum MOTS-c levels were inversely associated with total testosterone (r = − 0.224, p = 0.046) and total cholesterol (r = − 0.228, p = 0.044).”

Cross-sectional design, small sample size for biopsies, lack of functional measurements, and uncontrolled dietary/physical activity factors

“In addition, the sample size, particularly for muscle biopsies, was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.”