The possible regulatory mechanisms of Cryptotanshinone on reversing the reproductive and metabolic disturbances in PCOS model rats might be as follows: large amount of exogenous DHEA prompts the pituitary gland sensitive to gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and increases the excessive secretion of LH; the increased GnRH/LH can enhance the activity of cytochrome P450 and 17-α hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (coded by gene cyp17), one of the key enzymes in theca cells, and result in the synthetic of A2 and T increasing [15]. Here, CYP17A1 is linked to polycystic ovary syndrome.