Elevated Serum Androstenedione Is Associated With a More Severe Phenotype in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

April 2014 in “ Hormones ”

Neoklis A. Georgopoulos, Efstathios Papadakis, Anastasia Armeni, Ilias Katsikis, Nikolaos D. Roupas, Dimitrios Panidis

androstenedione polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS luteinizing hormone LH LH/FSH ratio testosterone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate DHEAS 17 OH progesterone free androgen index FAI hyperandrogenemia ovarian volume follicular number A4 FSH T

Studysummary This study found that increased serum A4A levels were associated with more severe polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes and could be a useful marker for biochemical hyperandrogenemia.

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The study with 1276 women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) according to the Rotterdam criteria found that elevated serum androstenedione (A4) levels greater than 3.8 ng/ml were associated with a more severe PCOS phenotype. Women with higher A4 levels had increased levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/FSH ratio, testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), 17 OH progesterone, and free androgen index (FAI), and a lower T/A4 ratio. This was true for the entire PCOS group as well as for those with clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenemia (phenotypes I and II). Increased ovarian volume was observed across the entire PCOS group with elevated A4 levels, while a greater mean follicular number was specific to phenotypes I and II. The study concluded that serum A4 levels could be a valuable marker for assessing the severity of PCOS.

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Research cited in this study

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research The Influence of Obesity on Androstenedione to Testosterone Ratio in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Hyperandrogenemia

15 citations , October 2011 in “Gynecological Endocrinology”

This study found that obesity in PCOS women with biochemical hyperandrogenemia lowers androstenedione levels and increases the testosterone to androstenedione ratio, but this was not observed in women with clinical hyperandrogenemia or in controls.

research The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Criteria for the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Complete Task Force Report

1540 citations , October 2008 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This review discusses the definition of polycystic ovary syndrome proposed by the AE-PCOS Society Task Force, emphasizing hyperandrogenism, ovarian dysfunction, and excluding related disorders, while noting potential variations needing more research.

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research 17-Hydroxyprogesterone Responses to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Reveal Distinct Phenotypes of Functional Ovarian Hyperandrogenism and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

42 citations , September 2007 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that women with PCOS who have an exaggerated 17-hydroxyprogesterone response to buserelin exhibit more severe hyperandrogenemia, increased insulin secretion, and reduced insulin sensitivity.

research Androgen Excess in Women: Experience with Over 1000 Consecutive Patients

947 citations , February 2004 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

In this study, polycystic ovary syndrome was the most prevalent cause of androgen excess, and suppressive hormonal therapy improved hirsutism, menstrual dysfunction, and acne in most patients, though side effects were common.