Circulating follistatin concentrations are higher and activin concentrations are lower in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Familial polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been proposed to be linked to a site near the follistatin gene. We studied the concentrations of circulating follistatin, activin A and inhibin B in well-characterized subjects with PCOS (n = 108) and controls without PCOS (n = 20). Mean (± SEM) concen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 2001-04, Vol.16 (4), p.668-672
Main Authors: Norman, Robert J., Milner, Clyde R., Groome, Nigel P., Robertson, David M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
activin
Activins
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Blood Glucose - analysis
Case-Control Studies
Fasting
Female
Female genital diseases
Follicle Stimulating Hormone - blood
Follistatin
Glycoproteins - blood
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
inhibin
Inhibin-beta Subunits
Inhibins - blood
Insulin - blood
Medical sciences
PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - blood
Prostatic Secretory Proteins
Reference Values
Testosterone - blood
Tumors
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Summary:Familial polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been proposed to be linked to a site near the follistatin gene. We studied the concentrations of circulating follistatin, activin A and inhibin B in well-characterized subjects with PCOS (n = 108) and controls without PCOS (n = 20). Mean (± SEM) concentrations of follistatin were higher (P < 0.05) in PCOS (0.27 ± 0.03 ng/ml) than controls (0.15 ± 0.02 ng/ml) and activin A were lower (P < 0.05) in PCOS (0.20 ± 0.01ng/ml) than controls (0.24 ± 0.02 ng/ml). Inhibin B concentrations were not different between the two groups: PCOS (0.06 ± 0.01ng/ml), and controls (0.06 ± 0.01ng/ml). It is proposed that higher concentrations of follistatin with lower concentrations of activin A may relate to follicular development not proceeding beyond 8–10 mm and may be partly responsible for the lack of pre-ovular follicle development in PCOS.
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/humrep/16.4.668