Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2000 May;43(5):795-805.

Serum Insulin-like Growth Factors and their Binding Proteins in the Women With Polycystic Ovary

• Roh JS
• Yoo JB
• Jo SH
• Kim HS
• Hwang YY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The involvement of IGF system in hyperandrogenism and abnormal follicular development is controversial. This study is to assess whether IGF system contribute to it in the women with polycystic ovary(PCO).
METHODS
Baseline serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), androstenedione (ADD), prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free insulin-like growth factor(IGF)-I, free IGF-II, insulin-like growth factor binding protein(IGFBP)-1, and IGFBP-3 were measured in twelve healthy regularly cycling volunteers and forty-two women with PCO then, the changes of baseline serum levels were evaluated after laparoscopic ovarian electrocauterization in nine PCO patients. In addition, the expression pattern of IGF-I and IGF-II was examined in the ovary of control and PCO group. RESULTS: Baseline levels of LH, ADD, free IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 were significantly higher in PCO group. However, there were no significant differences in the levels of free IGF-I and IGFBP-1, although free IGF-I showed decreasing tendency in PCO group. And there was a significant positive correlation between the LH and free IGF-II level in the PCO(P=0.011, r2=0.3899), but not in the control. After ovarian electrocauterization, LH, T, and ADD levels decreased, and free IGF-I and IGFBP-3 level increased. While free IGF-II and IGFBP-1 level showed no significant changes. In the ovary, expression of both IGFs showed similar pattern in normal and PCO ovaries.
CONCLUSIONS
The elevated IGFBP-3 level may alter the bioavailability of IGF(s) in the PCO. The change in IGF-I level and resumption of ovulation after electrocauterization, suggest a possible role of IGF system in the impairment of follicular development in the PCO.

Keyword

polycystic ovary; insulin-like growth factors; insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1, II

MeSH Terms

Androstenedione
Biological Availability
Carrier Proteins*
Estradiol
Female
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Humans
Hyperandrogenism
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Insulin-Like Growth Factor II
Luteinizing Hormone
Ovary*
Ovulation
Prolactin
Somatomedins*
Testosterone
Thyrotropin
Volunteers
Androstenedione
Carrier Proteins
Estradiol
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Insulin-Like Growth Factor II
Luteinizing Hormone
Prolactin
Somatomedins
Testosterone
Thyrotropin