Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder of reproductive age females, leading to infertility. Despite extensive research, the exact pathophysiology and treatment are lacking. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the direct role of adiponectin either alone or together with luteinizing hormone (LH) on sex hormone synthesis and changes in insulin receptor (IR) in the ovary of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-treated PCOS-mice. Immunohistochemical study showed decreased expression of adiponectin receptor (AdipoR1) in PCOS-ovary which correlated with increased synthesis of androgen and decreased expression of IR. The treatment with adiponectin with or without LH to PCOS-ovary in vitro caused significant decline in androgen synthesis and increase in IR. This study showed the direct role of adiponectin in ameliorating hyperandrogenism and reducing IR in the ovary of PCOS-mice. Thus adiponectin treatment may be a novel therapeutic strategy for combating PCOS. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.