In SAT (Fig. 3A–C), compared to controls, PCOS rats had decreased SOD1 (− 0.78 ± 0.15 vs 0.00 ± 0.19, P < 0.05) and SOD2 (− 0.84 ± 0.14 vs 0.00 ± 0.13, P < 0.01) mRNA expression, with no significant effect on catalase mRNA expression. Here, SOD1 is linked to polycystic ovary syndrome.