Adrenal dynamic responses to physiologic and pharmacologic adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation before and after ovarian steroid modulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal cytochrome P450c 17alpha activity is different after physiologic vs. pharmacologic ACTH stimulation and that ovarian activity promotes adrenal hyperactivity that is different after physiologic vs. pharmacologic ACTH stimulation.

Evidence for heterogeneous etiologies of adrenal dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To examine the hypothesis that, in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovarian steroids induce adrenal enzyme dysfunction or adrenal androgen hyperresponsiveness to ACTH.

Design: Prospective controlled clinical study.

Setting: Reproductive endocrinology unit of an academic medical center.