The effect of estradiol on granulosa cell responses to FSH in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: The influence of estradiol (E) on granulosa cell (GC) function has not been tested clinically in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The objective of this study is to determine if E influences GC responses to FSH in women with PCOS.

Methods: This is a two phase, single cohort study conducted over a 2-year period at a single academic center.

Lack of Serum anti-Mullerian hormone responses after recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an anovulatory disorder characterized by excess androgen production and increased LH secretion. Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is also elevated in this disorder. Women with PCOS exhibit a positive correlation between AMH and LH levels and recent in vitro data demonstrate that LH can directly stimulate AMH production by granulosa cells from women with PCOS.

Decreased inhibin B responses following recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin administration in normal women and women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To determine whether granulosa cells contribute to excess androgen production, by assessing inhibin B (Inh B) responses to hCG in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and in normal women.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Distinct developmental signatures of human abdominal and gluteal subcutaneous adipose tissue depots.

Context: Fat distribution differs in men and women, but in both sexes, a predominantly gluteal-femoral compared with abdominal (central) fat distribution is associated with lower metabolic risk. Differences in cellular characteristics and metabolic functions of these depots have been described, but the molecular mechanisms involved are not understood.

Objective: Our objective was to identify depot- and sex-dependent differences in gene expression in human abdominal and gluteal sc adipose tissues.

Clinical evidence for predominance of delta-5 steroid production in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Context: In women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the basis for ovarian androgen overproduction involves an overall increase of steroidogenesis, notably in the delta-4 pathway. However, in vitro studies have suggested that excessive androgen production occurs predominantly through the delta-5 pathway.

Objective: This study was performed to assess androgen dose-responses after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation in PCOS and normal women.

Comparison of inhibin B and estradiol responses to intravenous FSH in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and normal women.

Background: Inhibin B (Inh B) is produced by pre-antral and early antral follicles whereas estradiol (E(2)) is a product of follicles undergoing antrum formation. This temporal distinction is evident in the patterns of Inh B and E(2) release earlier and later during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, respectively. However, in previous studies of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and normal controls, release of these granulosa cell (GC) products appears to be simultaneous in response to FSH stimulation.