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Human Reproduction, Vol. 16, No. 12, 2546-2551, December 2001
© 2001 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Ovarian steroidogenic response to human chorionic gonadotrophin in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: effect of metformin

Riitta M. Koivunen1, Laure C. Morin-Papunen1, Aimo Ruokonen2, Juha S. Tapanainen1 and Hannu K. Martikainen1,3

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and 2 Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital of Oulu, Kajaanintie 52A, FIN-90220 Oulu, Finland

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the steroidogenic response pattern to HCG in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the possible effects of metformin treatment on it. METHODS: A single injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG, 5000 IU) was given to 12 obese [body mass index (BMI) 27 kg/m2] women with PCOS and to 27 control women. Blood samples for assays of 17{alpha}-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), androstenedione, testosterone and oestradiol were collected at baseline and 1, 2 and 4 days after the injection. Responses to HCG were also assessed in the PCOS women after 2-month treatment with metformin (500 mgx3 daily). RESULTS: Serum 17-OHP and oestradiol concentrations peaked at 24 h in the PCOS women and preceded the maximum testosterone concentration, which was seen at 48 h. In the control women the maximum concentrations of all these steroids were reached 96 h after HCG. After metformin treatment, the basal serum testosterone concentration and the areas under the androstenedione (AUCA) and testosterone (AUCT) response curves after HCG decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that obese PCOS women have a male-type steroidogenic response pattern to a single injection of HCG and a higher androgen secretory capacity than control women, which may be explained by the increased thecal cell activity in the polycystic ovary. The slight alleviation of hyperandrogenism brought about by metformin therapy appears to be due to its effect on ovarian steroidogenesis possibly mediated by decreased insulin action.

Key words: human chorionic gonadotrophin/metformin/polycystic ovary syndrome/steroidogenesis

3 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: hmartika{at}cc.oulu.fi


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