Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is increasingly recognized as a significant health concern among women of reproductive age, exerting its influence on the reproductive system and overall female physiology. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) gene polymorphism, -108 C >T in the promoter region, have been identified as factors that influence both the stability of the enzyme and its active site. This, in turn, contributes to increase oxidative stress, a recognized risk factor associated with PCOS. This study aimed to investigate the connection between paraoxonase-1-108 C >T gen polymorphisms with PCOS in Iraqi women in a case-control study included 40 women with PCOS and 40 women with normal cycles and no symptoms of hyperandrogenism, and no history of PCOS. Whole blood was used to extract the DNA, and using specified sets of primers, the gene fragments corresponding to the -108 C >T were amplified using a conventional polymerase reaction (PCR). Direct sequencing was used to carry out the genotyping and the results showed that the age, body mass index (BMI), and comorbidities of the two groups were similar. The prevalence of homozygous genotype (TT) of the -108 C >T was greater in PCOS women (27.5%) compared to healthy women (10%), with a significant difference (OR= 5.04, 95%CI=1.11-22.97, p=0.037). The prevalence of the mutant allele (T) was found to be greater in women with PCOS (56.25% versus 141.25%) compared to healthy women. This difference was nearly statistically significant (OR=1.85, 95%CI= 0.98–3.43, p= 0.059). These results confirmed the significance of -108 C >T as a risk factor for PCOS in Iraqi women.
