title: Ultrasound features of polycystic ovaries relate to degree of reproductive and metabolic disturbance in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To reexamine associations between polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) and degree of symptomatology in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using a well-defined PCOS population, newer ultrasound technology, and reliable offline assessments of sonographic parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic hospital and clinical research unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-nine women with PCOS as defined by hyperandrogenism and oligoamenorrhea.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Number of follicles per follicle size category, antral follicle count (AFC), ovarian volume (OV), follicle distribution pattern, stromal area, ovarian area, stromal to ovarian area ratio (S/A) and stromal echogenicity index (SI), total (TT), androstenedione, LH, FSH, cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, C-reactive protein, glucose, insulin, and hemoglobin A1C, menstrual cycle length, hirsutism score, body mass index (BMI), waist:hip ratio, and blood pressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AFC, but not OV, was positively associated with TT (ρ = .610), androstenedione (ρ = .490), and LH:FSH (ρ = .402). SI was positively associated with androgen markers and LH:FSH, while S/A was negatively associated with these variables. Follicles ≤4 mm were negatively associated with various metabolic markers, whereas larger follicles (5-8 mm) showed positive associations. Stromal markers were not associated with cardiometabolic measures. LH:FSH best predicted follicles ≤4 mm, and BMI predicted 5- to 9-mm follicles. Dominant follicles ≥10 mm were best predicted by age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AFC, and not OV, reflected the severity of reproductive dysfunction in PCOS. Associations among different sized follicles were consistent with recruitable sized follicles, which reflects the severity of metabolic dysfunction in PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Human Metabolic Research Unit, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Jacob P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Christ
authors.affiliation: Human Metabolic Research Unit, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vanden Brink
authors.affiliation: Human Metabolic Research Unit, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
authors.forename: Roger A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pierson
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
authors.forename: Donna R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Chizen
authors.affiliation: Human Metabolic Research Unit, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Electronic address: MEL245@cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Marla E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lujan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human
keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome; follicle; hyperandrogenism; metabolism; ultrasound