Expression of Markers of Endometrial Receptivity in Obese Infertile PCOS Women before and after the Weight Loss Program—A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Obesity is an increasing worldwide problem, and it is common in women with polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS). It is well known that women with PCOS have lower chances of spontaneous conception as well as lower success with IVF procedures. The mechanisms by which obesity causes lower fertility are not yet fully understood. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a lifestyle intervention weight loss program on the expression of the endometrial genes during the window of implantation (WOI). For this purpose, 15 infertile women with obesity and PCOS were included in the study. Endometrial samples were taken during the WOI before and at the end of the program, and RNASeq analysis was performed. There were no significantly differentially expressed genes before and after the weight loss program. We then compared the results of our study with previously published studies on markers of endometrial receptivity. The biomarker genes that were found to be down-regulated during the WOI in previous studies were more down-regulated after the weight loss program in the present study. Furthermore, 25% of the women who achieved the desired 5% or more weight reduction conceived spontaneously. Our study shows that weight loss might positively impact endometrial receptivity. which may lead towards the improved fertility of obese women with PCOS.

Keywords

• PCOS
• obesity
• weight loss
• endometrial receptivity
• biomarkers