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. 2008 May;93(5):1827-33.
doi: 10.1210/jc.2007-2664. Epub 2008 Feb 19.

Increased androgen response to follicle-stimulating hormone administration in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Deborah S Wachs  1 , Mickey S Coffler, Pamela J Malcom, Shunichi Shimasaki, R Jeffrey Chang
Affiliations

Increased androgen response to follicle-stimulating hormone administration in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Deborah S Wachs et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 May.

Abstract

Context: In women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), excess ovarian androgen production is driven by increased LH secretion. Studies conducted in animals suggest that the granulosa cell may influence LH-stimulated theca cell androgen production.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether FSH enhances androgen production in women with PCOS compared with that of normal women.

Design: A prospective study was conducted to compare androgen production in response to FSH in two groups of women.

Setting: The study was conducted in a General Clinical Research Center in a tertiary academic medical center.

Patients: Women with PCOS, 18-35 yr (n = 20), and normal ovulatory controls, 18-35 yr (n = 10), were recruited for study.

Interventions: Serial blood samples were obtained over a 24-h period after an iv injection of recombinant human FSH (150 IU).

Main outcome measures: The main outcome measures were serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone (T), and inhibin B (Inh B) responses after FSH administration.

Results: Basal serum 17-OHP, A, and T levels were markedly increased in women with PCOS compared with that observed in normal women. Basal DHEA and Inh B levels were similar to those of normal controls. After FSH injection, PCOS women demonstrated enhanced production of 17-OHP, A, DHEA, and Inh B, whereas in normal women no increases were observed. T levels declined slightly in both groups.

Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that, in PCOS women, theca cell androgen production is enhanced by FSH administration and suggest a granulosa-theca cell paracrine mechanism.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean (± se) serum androgen levels before and 24 h after administration of r-hFSH (150 IU) in PCOS and normal women. A significant change from baseline is denoted by an asterisk. *, P < 0.05. **, P < 0.02. ***, P < 0.001.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean (± se) serum E2 levels after administration of r-hFSH (150 IU) in PCOS and normal women.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean (± se) serum cortisol levels after administration of r-hFSH (150 IU) in PCOS and normal women.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mean (± se) serum Inh B levels before and 24 h after administration of r-hFSH (150 IU) in PCOS and normal women. *, P value for between-group comparison less than 0.001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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