Hyperandrogenemia in an Ethnically Heterogeneous Cohort of Midwestern United States Diabetic Pregnancies

In a study involving female dogs, researchers discovered that exposure to free fatty acids (FFAs) significantly increased the levels of androgens, including dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione (A4), and testosterone. DHEAS levels doubled, while A4 and testosterone levels tripled in dogs exposed to FFAs compared to the control group. Pre-incubation with palmitate, a specific FFA, raised the baseline secretion of A4, which was further amplified by insulin and even more by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). These findings suggest that FFAs may contribute to insulin resistance and hyperandrogenemia, conditions often seen in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study indicates the need for further research on ovarian theca cells and the molecular mechanisms involved.