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Endocrine Abstracts (2012) 29 S62.1

ICEECE2012 Symposia Early Development and Treatment of PCOS (3 abstracts)

Early hormonal abnormalities in children born to women with PCOS

T. Sir-Petermann


University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.


Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine-metabolic condition with a strong familial component suggesting a genetic susceptibility. During pregnancy, PCOS mothers offer an altered intrauterine environment which may also be implicated in the origin of this syndrome, and could determine endocrine/metabolic disturbances in their offspring (boys and girls) that may persist later in life. We have evaluated this possibility studying sons and daughters of PCOS mothers from early infancy to early adulthood. In daughters of women with PCOS (PCOSd), we have observed higher serum AMH concentrations and increased ovarian volumes during early infancy and adolescence compared to daughters of control mothers. In addition, these girls exhibit higher postprandial insulin serum concentrations and lower serum adiponectin levels compared to carefully matched controls, even before the onset of puberty. During puberty, we have studied PCOSd using the GnRH analog test, showing increased basal and peak testosterone concentrations and higher peak LH and 17-OHP levels, at a time when some early clinical signs of hyperandrogenism are mildly evident. During this period, 45% of PCOSd in Tanner IV and 60% in Tanner V have biochemical hyperandrogenism compared to control girls. However, it is not known how many PCOSd ultimately develop PCOS in the early reproductive period. After menarche (1–3 years) using the AES criteria, hyperandrogenism is the main diagnostic feature for PCOS present in these girls, while menstrual irregularity, PCO morphology and AMH levels are secondary elements that may aid in the diagnosis of this syndrome. In sons of women with PCOS, we have also observed increased serum AMH concentrations and higher BMIs, well before the onset of puberty. During adulthood, they remain overweight and show higher postprandial insulin concentrations and lower insulin sensitivity (adjusted for BMI) compared to controls. In summary, our studies have addressed the timing and sequence of the onset of metabolic and reproductive perturbations in the offspring of PCOS patients. Considering the early onset and the nature of these alterations, PCOS sons and daughters constitute a high-risk group for metabolic and reproductive disease.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This work was supported, however funding details are unavailable.

Volume 29

15th International & 14th European Congress of Endocrinology

European Society of Endocrinology 

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