Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Women from Opposite-Sex Twin Pairs

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2009-06, Vol.94 (6), p.1987-1990
• Main Authors: Kuijper, Esther A. M., Vink, Jacqueline M., Lambalk, Cornelis B., Boomsma, Dorret I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Body Mass Index; Diseases in Twins - epidemiology; Diseases in Twins - etiology; Endocrinopathies; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - epidemiology; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - etiology; Prevalence; Smoking - epidemiology; Twins, Dizygotic; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Vertebrates: endocrinology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.2009-0191

Introduction: Intrauterine androgens of a male fetus may influence the female fetus in opposite-sex twin pairs. Because female intrauterine overexposure to androgens could lead to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the prevalence of PCOS should be higher in women from opposite-sex twin pairs. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence of PCOS in women from opposite-sex twin pairs compared to women from same-sex twin pairs, sisters, and female spouses of twins. Subjects and Methods: Data from 1325 monozygotic twins, 1191 dizygotic twins (711 women from same-sex twin pairs and 480 women from opposite-sex twin pairs), 745 sisters of twins, and 218 spouses of male twins were evaluated. PCOS was defined as less than nine natural menstrual cycles a year combined with either hirsutism or acne. The prevalence of PCOS was compared using a χ2 test. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to test for confounding effects of smoking, age, and body mass index. Results: No significant differences in PCOS prevalence were found between women from same-sex twin pairs (either monozygotic or dizygotic), opposite-sex twin pairs, sisters, and spouses. Conclusion: The prevalence of PCOS is not different in women from opposite-sex and same-sex twin pairs, singleton sisters, or spouses. This indicates that possible androgen exposure of the female fetus, caused by a shared intrauterine environment with a male fetus, does not result in PCOS-like traits. The prevalence of PCOS is equal in women from opposite-sex and same-sex twin pairs.