Body weight, hyperinsulinemia, and gonadotropin levels in the polycystic ovarian syndrome: evidence of two distinct populations.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of body weight (BW) and insulin levels on gonadotropin and androgen levels in women with the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Comparative study of endocrinologic parameters in PCOS women.


METHODS
University Hospital Reproductive Endocrinology Unit.


METHODS
Thirty obese and 19 nonobese women with PCOS. Seven obese and 7 nonobese normal women.


METHODS
Serum concentrations of insulin, testosterone, androstenedione, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone. Serum LH response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration and assessment of insulin resistance by the continuous infusion of glucose with model assessment (CIGMA) test.


RESULTS
Fasting insulin levels correlated with body mass index (BMI). Basal LH levels correlated inversely with BMI. Nonobese women with PCOS had a higher LH response to GnRH than obese women with PCOS. Only obese women with PCOS showed insulin resistance and fasting hyperinsulinemia.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that women with PCOS may be divided into two subgroups: those with obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and normal/minimally elevated LH levels and those with normal BW, elevated LH levels, and normoinsulinemia.
Dale
P O
PO
University of Oslo, Norway.
Tanbo
T
T
Vaaler
S
S
Abyholm
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D007328:Insulin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone