Abstract:
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent metabolic and endocrine
disorder in reproductive women. Under environmental conditions of constant light and
light pollution, individual’s circadian rhythms are disturbed, which represents an emerging
risk factor for PCOS, as it causes reproductive and metabolic changes in a body. In this
study, a correlation between altered circadian rhythms and PCOS has been studied. In vivo analysis of PCOS was performed by exposing Wistar Rats to constant light for twenty- four
hours. The two L/L groups of rats were exposed to different light intensities i.e., 240W for
16 weeks and 600W for 8 weeks. In comparison, L/D animal models were kept under
twelve-hour light and twelve-hour dark cycle. Following observations have been made
when animal models were tested for behavioral analysis. Rats under constant light showed
symptoms of anxiety and loss of memory when tested by Elevated Maze Test and Morris
Water Maze Test with P values of <0.0001. It is followed by high concentrations of
androgens with P value of ˂0.0006, gonadotropin hormones with P value of <0.0001, anti mullerian with P value of ˂0.01, insulin with P value of ˂0.0002, and stress hormones
cortisol with P value of ˂0.04 observed in the continuous light- induced animal models, as
animal model showed evidence of disrupted circadian rhythms and PCOS. The
histopathological analysis of ovaries, liver, and kidney showed that organs appeared
damaged by the effect of environmental stress of constant light and PCOS. The current
findings suggest that besides genetic and metabolic factors, PCOS can be caused by certain
environmental factors which are prevalent in common population.
