Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disease in women of reproductive age, and the obesity and insulin resistance are considered to be the key link in the pathophysiological process of PCOS of obesity type. Adiponectin, a protein hormone, is closely related to insulin resistance and obesity, which has been being researched extensively in recent years. The authors of the present article review the pathogenesis of PCOS of obesity type from the relationship between adiponectin and obesity, and between adiponectin and insulin resistance, separately. In particular, the authors review studies on the underlying mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion interventions in regulating adiponectin level briefly. The authors think of that acupuncture and moxibustion interventions induced increase of adiponectin level is possibly to improve insulin resistance in obesity and/or PCOS patients, hoping to provide a new target for clinical treatment of PCOS.