About this Research Topic
Over the last several decades, large quantities of studies have focused on PCOS. However, the underlying aetiologies and pathophysiological mechanisms of this disease remain unclear. PCOS is considered to be a complex trait arising from the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Besides, hormones and immune cells, are reportedly a cross talk in PCOS. Considerable basic research will be necessary to discern the mechanisms of PCOS.
Besides, global consensus regarding the PCOS diagnostic criteria remains controversial, which leads to confusion and muddle within clinical practice and a delay in understanding this disease as a syndrome. The treatment should be tailored to different ages, requirements, and disease stages. It includes improving metabolic abnormalities through lifestyle changes, drug application and surgery therapy for the prevention and management of overweight and obesity, hormone metabolism disorder, endometrial protection, assisted reproductive technology and psychosocial treatment. Weight loss is the first-line intervention, which contributes to restoring the ovulatory menstrual cycle and improving metabolic disorders.
With this Research topic, we aim to provide an overview of what is known about the aetiology of PCOS, latest opinions on the PCOS criteria, and to highlight new therapies. This would help to identify therapeutic approaches to improve metabolic status and restore ovulation, by providing potential targets of intervention that could be exploited for clinical use.
This Research Topic aims to discuss and unravel the most recent advancements in the field, covering both basic and clinical aspects in the aetiology and management of PCOS. Except for traditional research, one new focus of this research topic is to understand the cross talk(s) between immune systems (immune factors and signaling pathways) with PCOS. Evidence should be provided in support of therapeutic schemes based on mechanistic data and powerful clinical studies.
This Research Topic calls for submissions of Reviews, Original Research, and Systematic Reviews regarding the understanding of mechanism and management of PCOS, as listed but not limited to the following:
• Genetic and environmental factors of PCOS
• Immunological approaches of PCOS
• PCOS and immune disorders
• Obesity and insulin resistance in PCOS
• Androgen and ovarian function in PCOS
• PCOS and microbiology
• New insights in clinical management/therapy of PCOS
• Lifestyle modifications in PCOS
• New pharmacological approaches to treat PCOS
• Personalized ART procedure for PCOS patients
• Your opinion on the PCOS criteria, i.e. the Rotterdam Criteria
To contributors of this Research Topic: please choose Prof. He-feng Huang as the Preferred Handling Editor when submitting your manuscript. Prof. Huang will ensure your submission is assigned to the most suitable Topic Editor.
Keywords: polycystic ovary syndrome, aetiology, immunology, clinical management, therapy
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.