title: Endocrine correlates of polycystic ovary syndrome in Pakistani women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To systematically examine the hormonal variations and their interactions in a local cohort of PCOS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, analytical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  King Edward Medical University and associated Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from June 2009 to May 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised of 50 controls, 65 PCOS patients and 25 First Degree Relatives (FDRs) of patients, aged 18 - 45 years. Clinical examination, findings, detailed menstrual and family history was recorded through a comprehensive questionnaire followed by ovarian ultrasound examination. The blood samples were drawn for hormonal analysis by radioimmunoassay and immunoradiometric assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body mass index, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), LH:FSH ratio, insulin, testosterone, androstenedione and prolactin were significantly elevated in PCOS patients compared to control group. The FDRs of patients did not indicate significant variations when compared to control. LH and androstenedione were found to be significantly correlated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The gonadotrophins, LH to FSH ratio and androgens are dependable diagnostic parameters of PCOS. LH appears to be the most important in this regard, leading to hyperandrogenism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College, Mirpur, AJK.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akram
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Quaid-i-Azam Campus, Lahore.
authors.forename: Nabila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roohi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood*; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015592:Immunoradiometric Assay; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010154:Pakistan; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013256:Steroids / Q000097:blood*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D006062:Gonadotropins; D013256:Steroids; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone