Increased androgen response to follicle-stimulating hormone administration in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
In women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), excess ovarian androgen production is driven by increased LH secretion. Studies conducted in animals suggest that the granulosa cell may influence LH-stimulated theca cell androgen production.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine whether FSH enhances androgen production in women with PCOS compared with that of normal women.


METHODS
A prospective study was conducted to compare androgen production in response to FSH in two groups of women.


METHODS
The study was conducted in a General Clinical Research Center in a tertiary academic medical center.


METHODS
Women with PCOS, 18-35 yr (n = 20), and normal ovulatory controls, 18-35 yr (n = 10), were recruited for study.


METHODS
Serial blood samples were obtained over a 24-h period after an iv injection of recombinant human FSH (150 IU).


METHODS
The main outcome measures were serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone (T), and inhibin B (Inh B) responses after FSH administration.


RESULTS
Basal serum 17-OHP, A, and T levels were markedly increased in women with PCOS compared with that observed in normal women. Basal DHEA and Inh B levels were similar to those of normal controls. After FSH injection, PCOS women demonstrated enhanced production of 17-OHP, A, DHEA, and Inh B, whereas in normal women no increases were observed. T levels declined slightly in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide evidence that, in PCOS women, theca cell androgen production is enhanced by FSH administration and suggest a granulosa-theca cell paracrine mechanism.
Wachs
Deborah S
DS
Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0633, USA.
Coffler
Mickey S
MS
Malcom
Pamela J
PJ
Shimasaki
Shunichi
S
Chang
R Jeffrey
RJ
D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000728:Androgens; C422364:inhibin B; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone