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Shim, Hwang, Lim, Choi, Jeon, Seo, Cho, Choi, and Lee: Inappropriate gonadotropin secretion in polycystic ovary syndrome: The relationship with clinical, hormonal and metabolic characteristics
Original Article
Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2011; 54(11): 659-665.

Published online: 23 November 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.11.659

Inappropriate gonadotropin secretion in polycystic ovary syndrome: The relationship with clinical, hormonal and metabolic characteristics

A Ra Shim, MD1, Yu Im Hwang, MD1, Kyung Jin Lim, MD1, Young Mi Choi, MD1, Young Eun Jeon, MD2, Seok Kyo Seo, MD1, 3, Si Hyun Cho, MD2, 3, Young Sik Choi, MD1, 3, Byung Seok Lee, MD2, 3

1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

3Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Corresponding author: Young Sik Choi, MD. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134 Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea. Tel: +82-2-2228-2230, Fax: +82-2-313-8357, yschoi08@yuhs.ac

Received 26 May 2011       Accepted 20 June 2011

Copyright © 2011. Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the clinical, hormonal and metabolic characteristics according to luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

A total of 225 women with PCOS were included in this study. They were divided into two groups according to LH/FSH ratio; group A (LH/FSH < 2, n=160) and group B (LH/FSH > 2, n=65). We compared clinical, hormonal and metabolic characteristics including age at menarche, body mass index (BMI), blood pressures, ovarian volume, and serum androgen levels between the two groups. Serum glucose and insulin levels, fasting glucose/insulin ratio, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and lipid profiles were also compared between the two groups. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to evaluate correlation between the LH/FSH ratio and various parameters.

Results

Age of menarche in the group B was significantly later than that in the group A. BMI, waist-hip ratio and blood pressures were significantly lower in the group B compared to those of the group A. Ovarian volume and serum levels of LH, estradiol, total testosterone, sex-hormone binding globulin, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (OHP), and high density lipoprotein were significantly higher in the group B. Postprandial 2 hours glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in the group A. After adjustment of BMI, the LH/FSH ratio was significantly positively correlated with age at menarche, ovarian volume, total testosterone levels, and 17-OHP levels.

Conclusion

The inappropriate gonadotropin secretion may be negatively correlated with BMI, and positively with age of menarche and increased ovarian androgen production irrespective of BMI in women with PCOS. However, it may not be associated with metabolic characteristics.

Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), LH/FSH ratio

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Clinical characteristics of study subjects
kjog-54-659-i001

Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation or number (%).

NS, not significant; BMI, body mass index; WHR, waist-hip ratio; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; SBP, systolic blood pressure; mFG, modified Ferriman & Gallwey; A, anovulation; HA, hyperandrogenism; PCO, polycystic ovary.

Table 2
Hormonal and metabolic characteristics between the two groups
kjog-54-659-i002

Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation.

LH, luteinizing hormone; FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone; NS, not significant; SHBG, sex-hormone binding globulin; FAI, free androgen index; 17-OHP, 17-hydroxyprogesterone; DHEA-S, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate; PP, postprandial; G/I, glucose/insulin; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; LDL, low density lipoprotein; HDL, high density lipoprotein.

Table 3
Correlation coefficients between luteinizing hormone/ follicle-stimulating hormone ratios and various parameters
kjog-54-659-i003

BMI, body mass index; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; T, testosterone; SHBG, sex-hormone binding globulin; OHP, hydroxyprogesterone; PP, postprandial.

aPearson's correlation coefficient.

bPartial correlation coefficient adjusted by BMI.

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