Experts from the Shanghai-based Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University have determined the cause of metabolite imbalance that leads to polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, a major reason for female infertility, the hospital announced on Jan 5.

This new finding is expected to provide a new strategy for the clinical intervention of PCOS.

Previous studies had shown that obese and diabetic patients are more likely to suffer from PCOS, an indication that PCOS is closely related to metabolic disorders.

In the new study led by professor Zhao Shimin, Yuan Yiyuan, and Xu Congjian, researchers found that the level of glutamine in the follicular fluid of PCOS patients was significantly higher than normal. When the concentration of glutamine in follicular fluid is too high, the follicular membrane will not be able to rupture, and this will lead to PCOS and ovulation disorders.

Their research results were published in the international journal Protein & Cell on Jan 2.

Doctors concluded that the associated effects of sugar and fat usually lead to the high glutamine level in obese and diabetic patients.