title: Inhibin secretion in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome before and after treatment with progesterone.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It has been suggested that inhibin secretion is altered in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the contribution of a preceding luteal phase has not been taken into account. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether progesterone in the context of a simulated luteal phase affects basal and FSH-induced inhibin secretion in women with PCOS and elevated LH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten women with PCOS and 8 normally cycling women participated in an experimental procedure (Exp) involving the administration of a single injection of recombinant FSH (450 IU sc). In the women with PCOS, the procedure was performed before (Exp 1) and after a 20-day treatment with progesterone (Exp 2), while in the normal women on day 2 of the cycle (Exp 3). Inhibin A and B levels were measured in blood samples taken before and 24 hours after the FSH injection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Basal LH levels were significantly higher and inhibin A levels were significantly lower in the PCOS group compared to the control group, while inhibin B levels were comparable in the two groups. In the PCOS group, after treatment with progesterone inhibin A and LH but not inhibin B levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05). After the FSH injection, inhibin A and B levels increased significantly in the women with PCOS (Exp 1 and Exp 2) but not in the control women (Exp 3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In women with PCOS, as compared to control women, the dissimilar pattern of inhibin A and inhibin B secretion in response to FSH appears to be independent of a preceding simulated luteal phase. It is possible that compared to normal ovaries, the PCOS ovaries are less sensitive to endogenous LH regarding inhibin A secretion and more sensitive to exogenous FSH stimulation in terms of inhibin A and inhibin B secretion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical School, University of Thessalia, Larissa, Greece. messinis@med.uth.gr
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dafopoulos
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Venetis
authors.forename: Christina I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Messini
authors.forename: Spyros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pournaras
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Anifandis
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garas
authors.forename: Ioannis E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Messinis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011372:Progestins; D021122:Protein Subunits; C422362:inhibin A; C422364:inhibin B; D011374:Progesterone; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone