Insulin as a factor of increased androgen production in women with obesity and polycystic ovaries.
To evaluate the possible role of moderate hyperinsulinemia on abnormal androgen secretion, we examined 4 age and weight-matched groups of obese subjects: 2 groups of women with normal menses whose fasting insulin (IRI) levels were less than or equal to 20 microU/ml (OB-I) or greater than or equal to 40 microU/ml (OB-I) and 2 groups of women with polycystic ovaries who were similarly grouped. All subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test, blood sex hormone determination and multiple LH determinations. Compared to OB, OB-PCO women showed significantly higher values of LH, androgen and estrogen concentrations. OB-I and OB-II showed similar hormonal patterns. On the contrary, OB-PCO-II presented significantly (p less than 0.05) higher androstenedione concentrations (348.7 +/- 129.9 ng/dl) (m +/- SD) than OB-PCO-I women (237.0 +/- 73.7 ng/dl). These differences were evident despite similar plasma LH concentrations. In conclusion, these results suggest that insulin may be a factor amplifying LH-dependent androgen secretion in hyperandrogenized women with obesity and PCO.
Pasquali
R
R
Istituto di Clinica Medica I, Ospedale S. Orsola, University of Bologna, Italy.
Antenucci
D
D
Casimirri
F
F
Venturoli
S
S
Paradisi
R
R
Fabbri
R
R
Melchionda
N
N
Barbara
L
L
D000728:Androgens / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000502:physiology*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D007328:Insulin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone