Peripheral catecholamine metabolites and menstrual irregularity in patients with polycystic ovaries.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the catecholamine status of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.


METHODS
Three parallel groups with polycystic ovary were diagnosed by ultrasound: (a) 5 patients with regularly ovulatory menstruation; (b) 10 with anovulatory menstruation; (c) 13 with secondary amenorrhea who responded to progestagen with withdrawal bleeding. Blood samples for measurement of LH, testosterone, and catecholamine metabolites were drawn during cycle days 4-7.


RESULTS
(1) Serum LH and testosterone of the patient groups (b) and (c) were significantly higher than those of controls. (2) Plasma 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) and the DOPEG/DOPAC ratio were elevated in patients, and DOPAC levels were reduced. However, there was no significant difference of catecholamine metabolites among the three patient groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The androgen status in polycystic ovary diagnosed by ultrasound is correlated, but catecholamine status is not correlated, with the menstrual irregularity of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Yoshino
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan.
Takahashi
K
K
Eda
Y
Y
Nishigaki
A
A
Kitao
M
M
D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000209:etiology*; D000858:Anovulation / Q000209:etiology*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D002395:Catecholamines; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D004970:Estrone; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C010117:3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol