Evaluation of Zinc, Copper, Chromium and Thyroid Hormones levels in Serum of Iraqi Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Trace elements have an important function in the human body, where They play an role in the regulation and Stimulation of enzymatic reactions, metabolism, immunity and others. This study was conducted in the College of Science/Diyala University on women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) from at Al-Batoul Hospital for childbirth/ Diyala. Thirty four women were diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) based on Rotterdam 2003 criteria and were considered as patients groups. In contrast, seventeen healthy women with regular menstrual cycle and free of diseases were selected and considered as control group. Concentrations of trace elements (zinc, copper and chromium) were measured in the serum using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer in the Poisoning Consultation Center/ Medical City. The level of serum thyroid hormones [ Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3)] was measured using the ELISA method. The results showed a significant decrease in the mean level of zinc in the PCOS group (67.5 ± 6.9 μg/dL) compared with control group (87±8.39 μg/dL), (p < 0.01). The mean copper, Cu/Zn ratio and chromium level were significantly higher in the PCOS group (158.58 ± 8.3, 2.38 ± 0.37 and 0.218 ± 0.038 μg/dL) respectively compared with control group (118 ± 9.5, 1.37 ± 0.18 and 0.114± 0.015 μg/dL); (P <0.01) respectively. There were no significant differences in the level of thyroid hormones between the two study groups.