Evaluation of different ranges of LH:FSH ratios in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - Clinical based case control study

Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2018 May 1:260:51-57. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.12.007. Epub 2017 Dec 19.

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder among reproductive aged women, leading to infertility. One of the common clinical manifestations in PCOS is that there is a difference in the range of LH production in different case of PCOS and accordingly variability in LH:FSH ratio was observed.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate different ranges of LH:FSH ratios in PCOS.

Experimental design: In this cross sectional study, a consecutive series of 745 women (aged 28.11 ± 0.2) who were subjected to infertility treatment at specialist infertility clinics in central Travancore region were considered. About 50 healthy females (aged 27.58 ± 0.4) with regular menstrual cycles were regarded as control. The data were collected from hospital records using subject's written informed consent.

Results: PCOS patients were observed to have different ranges of LH:FSH ratios from < 1 range to 4.6-5.5 and subjects were classified into 7 PCO subgroups on the basis of their LH:FSH ratios. In whole PCO group, body weight, LH, FSH, LH:FSH ratio, insulin, HbA1c, estradiol, testosterone and TSH were significantly (P < .05) increased whereas progesterone and SHBG levels were significantly (P < .05) decreased in comparison to control. In various PCO subgroups as LH levels and LH:FSH ratios were increased, levels of insulin, testosterone and AMH were increased and SHBG levels were decreased accordingly.

Conclusion: This finding suggested a dependence of insulin, LH and testosterone in initiating the hormonal imbalances in PCOS.

Keywords: Hyperinsulinemia; Infertility; Insulin resistance; Testosterone.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood*
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / blood
  • Insulin / blood
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / blood*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Testosterone
  • Estradiol
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone