Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a pathological condition, which accompanying with loss of ovarian function in women under the age of 40. This is manifested by hypergonadotropic amenorrhea, infertility and estrogen deficiency. POI affects 1% of women. The specific causes can be genetic disorders, autoimmune, infectious-toxic and iatrogenic factors, but the exact mechanism is unclear yet. According to different authors, the idiopathic form accounts for 50 to 90% of cases. Increased cases of menstrual irregularities (amenorrhea), following infection with COVID-19. This abstract review the study conducted on the role of hypothalamic peptides such as kisspeptin and BDNF in the pathogenesis of premature ovarian insufficiency as a consequence of COVID-19. The pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of women, and it can affect women’s reproductive health. This is due to stress during the pandemic. It is very important to identify markers of menstrual disorders after covid-19. The aim of the study was to study the concentrations of kisspeptin and BDNF in blood plasma in patients with POI following coronavirus disease.

Methods and results: The study included 2 groups: 44 women with diagnosed POI following COVID-19 (age 30 ± 2 years) and 15 women with regular menstrual cycle as control group (age 33 ± 3). The KISS1 and BDNF levels were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit (ELISA KIT). In control group tests were performed in follicular phase (days 3-5). In the group with POI the level of kisspeptin was lower (268.35 ± 16.7 pg/ml) than in control group (312.95 ± 31.84 pg/ml, P< 0.005) The concentration of BDNF was also lower in group with POI (215.48 ± 37.67 pg/ml) than in control group (402.91 ± 34.12 pg/ml). The kisspeptin and BDNF plasma levels are correlated negatively with period of amenorrhea. Decreased levels of kisspeptin and BDNF in the blood correlated with the occurrence of premature ovarian insufficiency and were as risk factor for its occurrence. It showed that patients with POI were more likely to have deficiency of kisspeptin and BDNF and higher levels of FSH.

Conclusion: This study confirms the relationship between kisspeptin, BDNF and the occurrence of POI in women following COVID-19. This study provides important potential opportunities for understanding the pathology of POI.