title: Ovarian influence on adrenal androgen secretion in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the ovary influences adrenal androgen secretion in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The adrenal androgen secretion was evaluated before and during ovarian suppression with a long-acting GnRH agonist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pisa, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women with PCOS and high (10 subjects) and normal (12 subjects) DHEAS levels and 6 normal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  After 1 mg dexamethasone, an ACTH-(1-24) stimulation test was performed in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The test was repeated after two injections of a long-acting GnRH analogue (GnRH-a).
  
  
  METHODS
  Basal plasma levels of gonadotropins, E2, T, androstenedione (A), 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), DHEAS, and cortisol (F) were evaluated before the evening administration of dexamethasone. Serum A, T, 17-OHP, DHEAS, and F were measured 9 hours after dexamethasone and in samples collected 60 and 120 minutes after ACTH IV injection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the high DHEAS group the maximum increases in T, A, 17-OHP, and DHEAS in response to ACTH were significantly higher than in normal DHEAS PCOS women and in normal women. The GnRH-a modified the A and T responses to ACTH in the high DHEAS group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ovarian steroids, or other extra-ovarian factors, seem to be responsible for the increased A and T responses to the corticotropin stimulation demonstrated in some PCOS women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fruzzetti
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Lorenzo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Teti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D003366:Cosyntropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D003366:Cosyntropin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003907:Dexamethasone