title: Basal insulin-like factor 3 levels predict functional ovarian hyperandrogenism in the polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the study were to understand the association between insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) and functional ovarian hyperandrogenism (FOH) in PCOS and the regulatory role played by LH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen PCOS women were classified as FOH (FOH-PCOS, no.=8) and non-FOH (NFOH-PCOS, no.=7) according to the response of 17OH-progesterone to buserelin (a GnRH analogue) with respect to 15 controls. FOH-PCOS and NFOH-PCOS were compared for basal INSL3 levels. In addition, the effect of buserelin on INSL3 concentrations and the relationship between basal and buserelin-stimulated LH and 17OH-progesterone and INSL3 were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Basal INSL3 levels were higher in FOH-PCOS than NFOH-PCOS (p=0.001) and controls (p=0.001), whereas they did not differ between NFOHPCOS and controls. In addition, FOH-PCOS had a higher response of LH to buserelin with respect to NFOH-PCOS. Within all PCOS women the levels of INSL3 positively correlated with free testosterone (p=0.022) and negatively with SHBG (r= p=0.031). Moreover, positive correlations with the absolute increase of 17OH-progesterone (p<0.001) and with the LH area under the curve (p=0.001) after buserelin administration were found. In the multiple regression analysis INSL3 persisted significantly correlated only with 17OH-progesterone response to buserelin. Finally, INSL3 was not significantly modified after buserelin administration either in FOHPCOS or in NFOH-PCOS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that INSL3 is related to FOH in PCOS women, but this association seems not to be mediated by LH, further reinforcing the concept that a pathophysiological heterogeneity for ovarian hyperandrogenism in PCOS exists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gambineri
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Prontera
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fanelli
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ciampaglia
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Cognigni
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pagotto
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pasquali
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002064:Buserelin / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000378:metabolism; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011506:Proteins; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D007328:Insulin; C084797:Leydig insulin-like protein; D011506:Proteins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D002064:Buserelin