Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2016) 41 S29.1 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.41.S29.1

ECE2016 Symposia New insights into the pathogenesis of PCOS (3 abstracts)

Metabolic dysfunction in a rodent model of PCOS

Jenny Visser


The Netherlands.


Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women in their reproductive age. Based on the Rotterdam criteria PCOS is diagnosed by at least two out of the following three criteria: hyperandrogenism, oligo/anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. To date, the underlying cause of PCOS remains unknown, although the elevated androgen levels are suggested to play an important role in the development of PCOS. In addition to ovarian dysfunction, women with PCOS display metabolic disturbances, such as obesity and insulin resistance. The accompanied elevated insulin levels can stimulate the ovary causing ovarian androgen production to increase even further. Thus, the elevated androgen and insulin levels may constitute a detrimental vicious circle between ovarian and metabolic dysfunctioning.

Animal models may aid in getting a better understanding of the development of PCOS and its the long term health consequences. To date, naturally occurring animal models are unknown. Therefore, androgenisation of animals is most frequently used to induce the reproductive and metabolic symptoms resembling PCOS.

We have developed a mouse PCOS model through chronic exposure of prepubertal mice to the non-aromatizable androgen DHT. At the end of the 90-day treatment period, DHT-treated mice were anovulatory and their antral follicles had a cyst-like structure. These mice also displayed increased adiposity and became glucose intolerant. In addition, analysis of their aortic vessels revealed the presence of a vascular phenotype since DHT-treated mice had decreased endothelial function. This suggests that exposure to DHT can induce several reproductive and metabolic characteristics associated with PCOS in women.

By applying this treatment regimen to transgenic mice, we can decipher the interaction between androgens and other factors, such as gonadal growth factors, to PCOS.

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