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. 2010 Oct 13:3:23.
doi: 10.1186/1757-2215-3-23.

Changes in androgens and insulin sensitivity indexes throughout pregnancy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): relationships with adverse outcomes

Angela Falbo  1 , Morena Rocca, Tiziana Russo, Antonietta D'Ettore, Achille Tolino, Fulvio Zullo, Francesco Orio, Stefano Palomba
Affiliations

Changes in androgens and insulin sensitivity indexes throughout pregnancy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): relationships with adverse outcomes

Angela Falbo et al. J Ovarian Res. .

Abstract

Background: Given the high rate of pregnancy and perinatal complications recently observed in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the lack of data on the serum variations in androgens and insulin sensitivity indexes in pregnant women with PCOS, the current study was aimed to assess these changes and their potential effect on pregnancy outcomes in a population of women with PCOS.

Methods: Forty-five pregnant patients with ovulatory PCOS (PCOS group) and other 42 healthy pregnant women (control group) were studied assaying serum androgen levels and insulin sensitivity indexes throughout pregnancy serially, and recording obstetrical outcomes.

Results: Serum androgen levels and insulin resistance indexes were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in PCOS than in control group at study entry, these differences were sustained throughout pregnancy, and their changes resulted significantly (p < 0.05) different between PCOS and control group. In PCOS patients, women who had a complicated pregnancy showed serum androgen levels and insulin sensitivity indexes significantly (p < 0.05) worse in comparison to subjects without any pregnancy and/or neonatal complications.

Conclusions: PCOS patients have impaired changes in serum androgen levels and insulin sensitivity indexes during pregnancy. These alterations could be implicated in the pregnancy and neonatal complications frequently observed in women affected by PCOS.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Serum androgen levels recorded at different times throughout pregnancy in PCOS and control groups. *p < 0.05 vs. control group; °p < 0.05 vs. baseline and 12th gestational week.
Figure 2
Figure 2
SHBG and FAI recorded at different times throughout pregnancy in PCOS and control groups. *p < 0.05 vs. control group; ^p < 0.05 vs. previous follow-up; °p < 0.05 vs. baseline and 12th gestational week.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Insulin sensitivity indexes at different times throughout pregnancy in PCOS and control groups. *p < 0.05 vs. control group; °p < 0.05 vs. baseline and 12th gestational week.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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