Ethnic differences in insulin and glucose response to glucose between white and Indian women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To examine different patterns of glucose and insulin secretion in women (of both Indian and white ethnic backgrounds) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 11 subjects from each group.


METHODS
Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Clinics from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, and King Edward the VIIIth Hospital, Durban, South Africa.


METHODS
Couples were grouped as follows: Indian nonobese and obese PCOS, Indian nonobese and obese reference subjects, white nonobese and obese PCOS, white nonobese and obese reference subjects.


METHODS
Insulin and glucose in plasma after oral glucose testing.


RESULTS
Indian PCOS and nonobese reference subjects had higher insulin responses than whites. The ethnic difference was less pronounced in obese women. There were no ethnic differences in glucose response.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that the ethnic background of subjects with PCOS needs to be considered in studies on the metabolic parameters in this condition.
Norman
R J
RJ
Reproductive Medicine Unit, University of Adelaide, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia.
Mahabeer
S
S
Masters
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000208:ethnology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology*; D013019:South Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D044465:White People
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D005947:Glucose