CASP3 and polycystic ovary syndrome: Compared to the PCOS group, the PCOS + A, PCOS + W group showed decreased caspase-3 mRNA transcription, decreased cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio, increased Bcl-2 mRNA transcription, decreased Bax mRNA transcription and increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio (both P < 0.0001) (Fig. 8B–I).