title: Comparison of follicle-stimulating-hormone-stimulated dimeric inhibin and estradiol responses as indicators of granulosa cell function in polycystic ovary syndrome and normal women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Follicular phase secretion of inhibin B, like that of estradiol (E(2)), correlates with the quantity and quality of developing follicles. However, it has not been established whether inhibin B responses to gonadotropin stimulation parallel those of E(2) as a reflection of granulosa cell functional capacity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to determine whether inhibin B responses to FSH stimulation are similar to those of E(2) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and normal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective study to compare ovarian responses in two groups of women at a general clinical research center in a tertiary academic medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women with PCOS, 18-35 yr (n = 19), and normal ovulatory controls, 18-35 yr (n = 7), were recruited for study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples were measured over a 24-h period after an iv injection of recombinant human FSH, 150 IU.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum E(2), inhibin A, and inhibin B responses after FSH administration were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In PCOS women, the 24-h production of inhibin B and E(2) after FSH was significantly greater than that of normal controls. Within the PCOS group, the fold change in inhibin B was significantly greater than that of E(2). Inhibin A responses between groups were similar and of markedly lower magnitude.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FSH-stimulated inhibin B responses may be employed to assess the functional capacity of granulosa cells in PCOS and normal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0633, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Wachs
authors.forename: Mickey S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Coffler
authors.forename: Pamela J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Malcom
authors.forename: R Jeffrey
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C422362:inhibin A; C422364:inhibin B; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone