Impact of an increased exposure with manganese and nickel on pituitary hormones in women with ovarian polycystosis

Abstract

Objective of the study: to evaluate the possible impact of manganese and nickel on the state of gonadotropic pituitary function and prolactin secretion.Materials and methods. For the study 2 groups of women were selected. The control group consisted of 38 women of reproductive age without reproductive system pathology. The main group consisted of 52 women who were diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in accordance with the Rotterdam Consensus criteria. Mass spectrometry was used in both groups to determine the indicators of manganese and nickel in serum. Evaluation of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin in serum was performed by the enzyme immunoassay. To assess the statistical significance of data (p) we used the Mann-Whitney U-test and Student's t-test. Spearman's coefficient was used for correlation analysis.Results. Studies have shown that women with PCOS compared with the control group showed increased manganese levels (p = 0.0093) and nickel levels (p = 0.00019) in serum. Prolactin (p = 0.0024) and LH levels (p = 0.0001) were increased in the group of women with PCOS too. FSH in both groups practically did not differ (p = 0.074). Significant individual fluctuations in the secretion of gonadotropins and prolactin were observed in the main group. In authors’ opinion, this may be a sign of pituitary dysfunction. Only correlation between manganese-prolactin and manganese-LH levels was found in the group of women with PCOS. There was no relationship between level of trace elements and hormones in all other cases.Conclusion. Increased levels of manganese and nickel in serum were found in women with PCOS. Elevated prolactin and LH levels in women with PCOS may be associated with increased manganese exposure. Nickel exposure does not affect gonadotropin and prolactin levels in women with PCOS.