Serum inhibin A concentration in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and the correlation to ethnicity, androgens and insulin resistance.
A prospective case-series in an academic hospital clinic was performed to determine whether there is a relationship between polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and ethnicity. Also, serum inhibin A concentrations were compared between PCOS and normal-ovulatory women. The possibility of a correlation between inhibin A, androgens and insulin resistance in PCOS women was evaluated. Serum inhibin A concentrations were measured in anovulatory PCOS patients (n=32) and in control women of reproductive age (n=16). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Serum concentrations of inhibin A, follicle-stimulating hormone, LH, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, fasting glucose, insulin, testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) were measured. Inhibin A concentrations were significantly lower (4.5+/-4.8 pg/ml) when compared with the control group (13.2+/-14.4 pg/ml; P=0.003) and were not significantly different between Hispanic and Caucasian women diagnosed with PCOS. There was no correlation between inhibin A concentrations and insulin, testosterone, free testosterone, 17-OHP, or DHEAS concentrations. In PCOS women, inhibin A concentrations are similar between Hispanic and Caucasian women; however, women with PCOS, regardless of ethnicity, have a lower inhibin A concentration compared with normal-ovulatory women. No correlation was observed between inhibin A androgens and insulin resistance in women diagnosed with PCOS.
Division of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 234-149th Street, Bronx, NY 10451, USA. ShimonSegal@aol.com
Shimon
S
Segal
Malvina
M
Elmadjian
Takeko
T
Takeshige
Steven
S
Karp
Ray
R
Mercado
Benjamin
B
Rivnay
D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000728:Androgens; C422362:inhibin A; D007265:Inhibins