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Hyperinsulinemia and uterine perfusion in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Author(s) -
Ajossa S.,
Guerriero S.,
Paoletti A. M.,
Orrù M.,
Melis G. B.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2002.00790.x
Subject(s) - polycystic ovary , medicine , hyperinsulinemia , uterine artery , endocrinology , luteinizing hormone , insulin , dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate , hormone , insulin resistance , androgen , pregnancy , biology , gestation , genetics
Objective To determine whether hyperinsulinemia has a negative effect on uterine blood supply in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Sixty‐three patients with normal body mass index were included prospectively in the study: 48 had clinical and hormonal features of PCOS and 15 were normo‐ovulatory. All patients underwent Doppler flow measurement of the uterine artery, and determination of serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, estradiol, androgens, insulin and C‐peptide during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The 48 PCOS‐patients were divided into two groups according to the pulsatility index (PI) value of the uterine artery: Group 1, PI < 3; Group 2, PI ≥ 3 and the groups were compared. Results The mean PI of the uterine artery (3.01 ± 1.0 vs. 1.93 ± 0.3, respectively) and fasting levels of insulin (50.9 ± 9.3 vs. 40.3 ± 10.9) and C‐peptide (366.9 ± 118.4 vs. 243.6 ± 120.3) of PCOS‐patients were significantly higher than those of the control group. No correlation was found between insulinemia and C‐peptide and PI of the uterine artery and no significant difference was found in insulin and C‐peptide levels among the two groups of PCOS‐affected patients. Only the serum level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was significantly higher in Group 2, and a direct correlation was found between PI values of the uterine artery and DHEAS plasma levels. Conclusion Insulin and C‐peptide do not seem to interfere with uterine perfusion in PCOS‐affected patients. Copyright © 2002 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology