Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a term used to describe women who have a tendency, because of abnormal ovulation to develop multiple small cysts on their ovaries. In this study, we investigated the abnormal levels of serum inhibin B, follistatin and activin A in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Serum levels of inhibin B, follistatin and activin A on cycle day 3 were measured both in PCOS group and in controls (women with regular cycle). The difference between the two groups and relationship of inhibin B, follistatin and activin A with other sex hormone, body mass index (BMI), insulin and fast glucose were analyzed. Levels of serum inhibin B in PCOS were higher (P < 0.001) (290 ± 86 pg/ml) than those of controls (172 ± 53 pg/ml) and follistatin were higher (P = 0.01) in PCOS (1317 ± 392) pg/ml than controls (804 ± 203) pg/ml. Levels of serum activin A were lower (P < 0.05) in PCOS (545 ± 44 pg/ml) than those of controls (588 ± 89 pg/ml). In PCOS women, serum inhibin B levels were positively correlated with insulin (r = 0.436, P < 0.05) and glucose (r = 0.618, P < 0.05). Serum activin A levels were negatively correlated with insulin (r = -0.442, P < 0.05). Serum follistatin levels were positively correlated with age and negatively correlated with T. Abnormal paracrine or autocrine in inhibin/follistatin/activin system may be partly responsible for the hypogenesis of pre-ovular follicles in PCOS and it is obvious that hyperinsulinemia may be affected by higher concentrations of inhibin B and lower concentrations of activin A.

Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, follistatin, activin, hyperinsulinemia,