title: Androgens and insulin--two key players in polycystic ovary syndrome. Recent concepts in the pathophysiology and genetics of polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: Androgens and insulin are endocrine key players in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a heterogenic condition of unexplained etiology and a suspected genetic background. Androgens mediate the clinical phenotype of the disease. Therefore,all criteria of the recent PCOS consensus definition are based on their biological effects. Insulin resistance, followed by compensatory hyperinsulinemia, is frequently found in patients with PCOS. Insulin resistance is correlated with a risk of metabolic complications of PCOS, and recent research has focused on possible long-term health consequences of the syndrome. Newest molecular genetic findings at the receptor level of both androgens and insulin support their pivotal role in PCOS. These results could help to better characterize the heterogenic disorder, enabling a refinement of existing individualized therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik fur Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Universitatsklinikum Munster, Munster, Germany. andreas.schuering@ukmuenster.de
authors.forename: Andreas N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Schuring
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schulte
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sonntag
authors.forename: Ludwig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kiesel
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D007328:Insulin