Zonulin as a potential biomarker for diminished ovarian reserve: A prospective study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between zonulin levels and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and to evaluate the potential role of autoimmunity in the development of DOR. The study contributes to the understanding of the pathogenesis of DOR, which can be an unexpected diagnosis often associated with infertility and unpleasant physical symptoms in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted by scanning 224 patients. The demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. Antral follicle counts of the patients were determined by ultrasound, and Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels were examined. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, estradiol, AMH measurement, and antral follicle counts were made on the 2nd or 3rd day of menstrual bleeding. The zonulin levels of the participants were measured by the ELISA method. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of DOR. The patients’ demographic characteristics and hormone levels were compared between these two groups, serum zonulin levels were examined, and the relationship between other hormone parameters and zonulin was investigated. RESULTS: When the median ages of the patients in both groups were compared, the median age of patients with DOR was 38 years, significantly higher (p<0.001) than the median age of those without DOR, which was 27 years. The median zonulin levels of both groups were compare; it was observed that it was 19.71 ng/mL in the group with DOR and 11.03 ng/mL without DOR, and a statistically significant difference was found between the zonulin levels of the patients in both groups (p<0.001). A moderate inverse correlation (p<0.001) between patients’ zonulin and AMH levels, and a moderate correlation between FSH levels (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, zonulin levels of patients with DOR were higher than women without DOR. Evaluation of zonulin levels may also be considered during the diagnosis of DOR.