Age-related differences in features associated with polycystic ovary syndrome in normogonadotrophic oligo-amenorrhoeic infertile women of reproductive years

Autor: Babek Imani, Helen Bili, Joop S.E. Laven, Bart C.J.M. Fauser, Marinus J.C. Eijkemans
Rok vydání: 2001
Předmět:
Zdroj: European Journal of Endocrinology. :749-755
ISSN: 1479-683X
0804-4643
DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1450749
Popis: Objective: To assess the effect of age on clinical, endocrine and sonographic features associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in normogonadotrophic anovulatory infertile women of reproductive years. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Four hundred and seventy-two oligo-amenorrhoeic infertile patients, presenting with normal FSH and oestradiol concentrations, aged 17‐42 years underwent a standardised initial evaluation including: cycle history, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and transvaginal ultrasound scanning of ovaries. Fasting blood samples were obtained for extensive endocrine evaluation. Cycle duration, serum levels of gonadotrophins, androgens, oestradiol, insulin, glucose, inhibin B as well as mean number of follicles, ovarian volume and ovarian stroma echogenicity were assessed. Results: Older women had significantly lower LH and androgen and inhibin B serum levels. Similarly, older women presented with a reduced number of ovarian follicles. Age was inversely correlated with cycle duration Ora 20:112; Pa 0:02U; LH Ora 20:154; Pa 0:001U; testosterone Ora 20:194; Pa 0:001U; androstenedione Ora 20:170; Pa 0:001U; dehydroepiandrosterone Ora 20:157; Pa 0:001U; insulin Ora 20:126; Pa 0:02U; inhibin B Ora 20:118; Pa 0:03U serum levels and mean follicle number Ora 20:100; Pa 0:03U: A positive correlation was observed between age and glucose to insulin ratio Ora 0:138; Pa 0:009U: Conclusions: Advanced age in normogonadotrophic anovulatory infertile women is associated with lower LH and androgen levels and with a decreased number of ovarian follicles. Although during reproductive years observed differences are relatively small, these age-related changes may affect the observed incidence of PCOS.
Databáze: OpenAIRE