BAX and polycystic ovary syndrome: In addition, the PCOS group showed increased increased caspase-3mRNA expression and cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio, decreased Bcl-2mRNA expression, increased Bax mRNA expression and decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio to the normal group (both P < 0.01) (Fig. 5 D-I).