title: PCOS: an ovarian disorder that leads to dysregulation in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis?
abstract: This review focuses on the role of the ovaries in the pathogenesis of the polycystic ovarian syndrome. In particular, the failure of follicular development, hypothalamo-pituitary dysregulation, alterations in adrenal steroid output and derangement of intermediary metabolism are discussed in the context of the ovaries. It is concluded that the central and adrenal alterations associated with PCOS are unlikely to be primary but rather are secondary to the events within the ovary.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 64849, Shuwaikh 70459, Kuwait. sardoi@gmx.net
authors.forename: Suhail A R
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Doi
authors.forename: Philip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Towers
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Kamal A S
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Al-Shoumer
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000502:physiology; D007328:Insulin / Q000502:physiology; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000502:physiology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000503:physiopathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D007328:Insulin; D007265:Inhibins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone