Endocrine Abstracts

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of menstrual and reproductive disorders in women of reproductive age. It is the leading cause of female infertility, up to 15%. Women with PCOS and their hormonal status marked in immune-enzyme analysis under chronic stress conditions and without it were the subject of interest. The role of chronic stress in development of many diseases is well-known. In patients with PCOS dopamine content depends on pathogenic form of the syndrome. It is known that in typical form of the syndrome (Stein- Leventhal) these indices are normal, while in combined form (central adrenal) is marked increased dopamine secretion and in central type of the disease is marked apparent lowering of its content in the blood. The goal of the present study was determination of chronic stressful situation impact on neuroendocrine disorder development and establishment of the role of hypothalamic-dopaminergic system in PCOS development of central genesis.

We have studied 66 women of fertile age (19–34) with PCOS of central genesis and women with normal ovarian cycle. These women were divided into three groups: I group was formed by 34 women, refugees from Abkhazia, which were in severe living conditions from 1992–2005. All women had traumatic disorders caused by stress, they were consulted by psychotherapist; II group consisted of 32 women with PCOS of central genesis living in Tbilisi, and III (control) group was formed by practically healthy women with normal menstrual cycle.

Findings indicate that LH blood level increase in patients with PCOS of central genesis was caused both by dopamine system influence and increased activity of LH-releasing producing neurons which cause chronic stress.

Accordingly, decreased dopamine level in refugees confirm that chronic stress is meaningful risk factor of PCOS development of central genesis. Chronic stress causes abnormalities in central activities of hypothalamic-pituitary system neuroregulation and redoubles female reproductive system disorders.