Women of reproductive age are suffering from severe hormonal imbalance due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).Clinical manifestations of PCOS are diverse including hyperandrogenism, anovulation, infertility and increased risk of metabolic diseases besides psychosocial dysfunction.Additionally, PCOS leads to various other disturbances such as glucose tolerance, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, obesity and metabolic disturbances. Environmental pollutants and Xenobiotic compounds cause changes in gut microbiota, which further affects metabolism causing metabolic disturbances may lead to PCOS.Various metabolic anomalies resulting from interaction with xenobiotic compounds and environmental pollutants contribute for hormonal imbalance. It is an interlinked vicious circle affected by epigenetic and environmental parameters.Epigenetic approach and molecular analysis of genes involved in PCOS is essential for specific treatment.Biochemical markers like assessment of hormones(hyperandrogenism)and ultrasound (in patients above twenty years of age)used as diagnostic parameters for detection of PCOS. Adaptinga healthy lifestyle and minimal exposure to xenobiotic compounds and resetting the disturbed sleep cycle will benefit the patient. Study of molecular markers will help in treating the PCOS in a better manner. This review focuses on important parameters of pathophysiology, which will help in understanding andcreating awarenesson PCOS.

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We studied seasonal variation of the secretory granules in the epithelial cells of the sexual segment of the kidney (SSK) during the annual sexual cycle in the lizard, Eutropis carinata using light and electron microscopy in correlation with measurements of androgen levels. During the breeding phase, the epithelium of the SSK consists of simple columnar cells with basal nuclei. The cytoplasm contains numerous eosinophilic secretory protein and carbohydrate granules, but lacks glycosaminoglycans. These secretory granules develop during the regenerative phase when the circulating testosterone level increase. During the breeding phase, when the circulating testosterone levels are high, three types of secretory granules can be differentiated in the cytoplasm based on size and opacity; electron translucent type I, electron dense type II, and biphasic type III granules. Type II granules are found at various stages of maturity and degeneration/utilization. All types of secretory granules are released through an apocrine process. Microvilli and tight junctions are prominent at the apical portion of the cell. The cytoplasm contains, Golgi complexes, an abundant network of rough endoplasmic reticulum, numerous tubular mitochondria, condensing, mucus filled and empty vacuoles. Intercellular canaliculi are narrow and indistinct during the regenerative and breeding phases, respectively. During the regressed phase, when the circulating testosterone levels are lowest, the cells are found regressed with wide intercellular canaliculi and devoid of secretory granules. Then the cytoplasm contains a few round mitochondria, Golgi and scanty endoplasmic reticulum.

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The epididymis of the lizard Eutropis carinata can be divided into four regions viz., an initial segment (extra testicular) Efferent ductules (Eds) and three regions, the anterior region, a broad middle, and a narrow posterior, comparable to the caput, corpus, and cauda epididymidis of mammals. The anterior region of the epididymis is closely associated with a whitish initial segment (extra testicular), the Efferent ductules (Eds). The epididymal wall consists of an epithelial layer lining the lumen resting on a basement membrane surrounded by four to five layers of smooth circular muscles, a layer of connective tissue, and a layer of serosa. The ultrastructure study of the initial segment of epididymis the Eds during breeding season discloses four cell types in its epithelium viz., ciliated, non-ciliated, Apical-Mitochondria Rich Cells (AMRC), and basal cells. The anterior, middle, and posterior regions of the epididymis show five different cell types namely principal, basal, AMRC, narrow, and clear cells. Ciliated and non-ciliated cells are limited to the initial segment of the epididymis while, principal, narrow, and clear cells are found in the rest of the three regions of the epididymis. Basal and AMRC are found in all four regions. AMRCs are the most abundant cell type in the initial segment while principal cells are the major components of the epithelial lining of the remaining regions of the epididymis. During the non-breeding season, all the cell types are present but with regression and altered cytology of the cells without any sign of cellular activity in the different regions of the epididymis. During the breeding season, even the circulating testosterone levels are significantly higher compared to the non-breeding season. This is the first report describing different cell types in the initial segment and three different regions of the epididymis with ultrastructural seasonal variations in the Keeled Indian Mabuya, Eutropis carinata (Scincidae).