Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by the presence of two or more of the following features: chronic oligo-ovulation or anovulation, androgen excess and polycystic ovaries. As the most common cause of anovulatory infertility, PCOS is a highly heritable, complex genetic disorder affecting up to 15% of reproductive-age women worldwide. Pro. Han Zhao’s group has completed 2 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and dozens of candidate-gene association studies on PCOS. However, the current mainstream view is that PCOS is a complex disease and is commonly the result of multidimensional changes at molecular, cellular, and systemic levels. Therefore, Pro. Han Zhao’s lab is currently interested in the etiological and treatment strategy for PCOS: 1) To find out the possible mechanism of GWAS susceptibility genes working in follicle development and ovulation; 2) To seek some efficient small molecular targeted drugs or conventional drugs that could rescue PCOS phenotype in the transgenic mouse model and to provide promising strategies for treatment of PCOS.

Hypothetical model of GWAS signaling cascades involved in polycystic ovary syndrome 

(McAllister JM et al. 2015 Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism)