The role of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome.
The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship and role of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), insulin and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In a pilot study, serum concentrations of IGF-1 were determined in women with PCOS (n = 10), hypopituitarism (n = 12) and normal controls (n = 10). In the main study, serum concentrations of IGF-1, IGFBP-1, insulin and LH in women with anovulation associated (n = 23) and not associated (n = 47) with PCOS were determined. Serum concentrations of IGF-1 were not different in women with PCOS, anovulatory non-PCOS and healthy women but were low in those with hypopituitarism. Mean serum IGFBP-1 in PCOS (33.8 +/- 21.2 micrograms/l) was decreased compared with anovulatory non-PCOS (60.0 +/- 22 micrograms/l) (P = 0.0001), and correlated negatively with insulin concentrations (r = -0.67, P = 0.0006). Patients with PCOS could be separated into those with high LH and those with high insulin levels. It was concluded that women with PCOS have normal serum IGF-1 concentrations but IGFBP-1 levels, regulated by insulin, are low. Hyperinsulinaemia and raised LH are independently capable of stimulating ovarian androgen production. Growth factors may have an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.
Homburg
R
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Golda Medical Centre, Petah Tikva, Israel.
Pariente
C
C
Lunenfeld
B
B
Jacobs
H S
HS
D000328:Adult; D000858:Anovulation / Q000097:blood; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013002:Somatomedins; D013739:Testosterone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone