Abstract: The pathogenesis of PCOS is very complicated，including the genetic factors，environmental factors，inflammatory factors and so on. In recent years，the relationship between inflammatory factors，insulin resistance，obesity and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and its impact on the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome is the focus of discussion. Inflammatory cytokines could mediate insulin resistance via adipose tissue. Adipose tissue could secrete multiple cytokines. The abnormal expression of cytokines promotes inflammatory process and participates in the process of insulin resistance in PCOS patients. Besides, inflammatory cytokines may be directly involved in the dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and result in the abnormal follicular development, maturation and ovulation process in PCOS patients. In genetic factors, there is a certain correlation between the gene polymorphism of inflammatory cytokines and PCOS.

Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Hypothalamo-hypophyseal system, Insulin resistance, Polymorphism, genetic, Inflammatory factor