Polycystic Ovaries Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Polycystic Ovaries, including details on treatment, symptoms, polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility.

Androgens and insulin--two key players in polycystic ovary syndrome. Recent concepts in the pathophysiology and genetics of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Schuring AN, Schulte N, Sonntag B, Kiesel L

Klinik und Poliklinik fur Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Universitatsklinikum Munster, Munster, Germany. andreas.schuering@ukmuenster.de

Androgens and insulin are endocrine key players in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a heterogenic condition of unexplained etiology and a suspected genetic background. Androgens mediate the clinical phenotype of the disease. Therefore,all criteria of the recent PCOS consensus definition are based on their biological effects. Insulin resistance, followed by compensatory hyperinsulinemia, is frequently found in patients with PCOS. Insulin resistance is correlated with a risk of metabolic complications of PCOS, and recent research has focused on possible long-term health consequences of the syndrome. Newest molecular genetic findings at the receptor level of both androgens and insulin support their pivotal role in PCOS. These results could help to better characterize the heterogenic disorder, enabling a refinement of existing individualized therapeutic strategies.

Published 22 January 2008 in Gynakol Geburtshilfliche Rundsch, 48(1): 9-15.
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