Pituitary and testicular function in sons of women with polycystic ovary syndrome from infancy to adulthood.
BACKGROUND
An important proportion of male members of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) families exhibit insulin resistance and related metabolic defects. However, the reproductive phenotypes in first-degree male relatives of PCOS women have been described less often.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to evaluate the pituitary-testicular function in sons of women with PCOS during different stages of life: early infancy, childhood, and adulthood.


METHODS
Eighty sons of women with PCOS (PCOS(S)) and 56 sons of control women without hyperandrogenism (C(S)), matched for age, were studied. In all subjects, the pituitary-gonadal axis was evaluated by a GnRH agonist test (leuprolide acetate, 10 microg/kg sc). Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B were used as Sertoli cell markers. Serum concentrations of gonadotropins, steroid hormones, and SHBG were also determined. A semen analysis was performed.


RESULTS
Basal concentrations of gonadotropins, sex steroids, and inhibin B were comparable between PCOS(s) and C(S) during early infancy, childhood, and adulthood. Similar results in stimulated gonadotropin and sex steroid concentrations were observed. However, AMH serum concentrations were higher in PCOS(s) compared with C(S) during early infancy [925.0 (457.3-1401.7) vs. 685.6 (417.9-1313.2) pmol/liter, P = 0.039] and childhood [616.3 (304.6-1136.9) vs. 416.5 (206.7-801.2) pmol/liter, P = 0.007). Sperm-count analysis was similar between both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
AMH concentrations are increased in prepubertal sons of women with PCOS, suggesting that these boys may show an increased Sertoli cell number or function during infancy and childhood. However, this does not seem to have a major deleterious effect on sperm production.
Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Concepción, Chillán, Chile.
Sergio E
SE
Recabarren
Teresa
T
Sir-Petermann
Rafael
R
Rios
Manuel
M
Maliqueo
Bárbara
B
Echiburú
Rosita
R
Smith
Pedro
P
Rojas-García
Mónica
M
Recabarren
Rodolfo A
RA
Rey
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D032721:Adult Children; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones