Figure 1.

Proposed effects of the indicated WAT adipokines and of BAT on PCOS, based on current experimental evidence and on an assessment of the effects of the known adipokine actions on PCOS. Green arrows illustrate a beneficial effect, red arrows an adverse effect on PCOS pathophysiology. Red-green-colored arrows indicate the presence of both beneficial and adverse effects of an adipokine. BAT activation or transplantation has been reported to notably improve PCOS, although only few molecular mechanisms underlying this effect are known to date. * Novel proteomic approaches are expected to identify further batokines (XY) affecting PCOS. “↑” = increase; “↓” = decrease.