Animal Models and the Developmental Origins of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Increasing Evidence for the Role of Androgens in Programming Reproductive and Metabolic Dysfunction

    June 2012 in “ Endocrinology ”
    Stephen Franks
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    TLDR High levels of androgens during early development may cause PCOS-like symptoms.
    The document from 2012 discusses how animal models, particularly rodents, sheep, and monkeys, have contributed to understanding the development of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). It emphasizes that exposure to high levels of androgens during prenatal development can cause symptoms in adult animals similar to those experienced by women with PCOS, such as disrupted ovarian cycles, abnormal follicle development, and insulin resistance. The document acknowledges the limitations of rodent models in replicating the ovarian aspects of PCOS but notes their usefulness in studying metabolic dysfunction. It suggests that androgen programming and epigenetic regulation may play significant roles in the origin of PCOS. Despite the limitations, rodent models are considered valuable for investigating the link between excess androgen and metabolic issues related to PCOS.
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