Figure 1.

Hormonal, inflammatory and metabolic factors occurring in the uterus (endometrium, myometrium, cervix) and in placental tissues (trophoblast and membranes) mediate the mechanisms of pregnancy complications in women with PCOS. AR, androgen receptor; ERα, estrogen receptor alpha; SHBG, sex hormone-binding globulin; 3β-HSD-1, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1; IGFBP, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor type 1; TX, thromboxane; ET, endothelin; NOS, nitric oxide synthase; PGs, prostaglandins; STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3: TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-alpha; IL-1, interleukin 1; IL-6, interleukin 6; CXCs, chemokines; MMPs, matrix metalloproteinases; ROS, reactive oxygen species.