Circulating follistatin concentrations are higher and activin concentrations are lower in polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Familial polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been proposed to be linked to a site near the follistatin gene. We studied the concentrations of circulating follistatin, activin A and inhibin B in well-characterized subjects with PCOS (n = 108) and controls without PCOS (n = 20). Mean (+/- SEM) concentrations of follistatin were higher (P < 0.05) in PCOS (0.27 +/- 0.03 ng/ml) than controls (0.15 +/- 0.02 ng/ml) and activin A were lower (P < 0.05) in PCOS (0.20 +/- 0.01ng/ml) than controls (0.24 +/- 0.02 ng/ml). Inhibin B concentrations were not different between the two groups: PCOS (0.06 +/- 0.01ng/ml), and controls (0.06 +/- 0.01ng/ml). It is proposed that higher concentrations of follistatin with lower concentrations of activin A may relate to follicular development not proceeding beyond 8-10 mm and may be partly responsible for the lack of pre-ovular follicle development in PCOS.
Reproductive Medicine Unit, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, 28 Woodville Road, Woodville, South Australia 5011, Australia. robert.norman@adelaide.edu.au
R J
RJ
Norman
C R
CR
Milner
N P
NP
Groome
D M
DM
Robertson
D028341:Activins; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D038681:Follistatin; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins; D012016:Reference Values; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D038681:Follistatin; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007328:Insulin; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins; C043076:beta-microseminoprotein; C103008:inhibin beta A subunit; D028341:Activins; D013739:Testosterone; D007265:Inhibins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits