Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) constitutes the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Recently, the potential influence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on the development of PCOS has been suggested. The aim of the present study is to determine whether dihydrotestosterone equivalent concentration (DEQ) representing total androgenic activities including androgen derivatives from EDCs measured by chemically activated luciferase gene expression (CALUX) bioassay is different in women with PCOS compared to controls and associated with hormonal and metabolic features of PCOS.

Methods: We recruited 99 women with PCOS (26±4 years) and 100 healthy women with regular menstrual cycles (26±4 years), and performed a case–control association study. Anthropometric, hormonal, and biochemical measurements and ovarian ultrasound were performed. DEQ levels were determined using CALUX bioassay.

Results: DEQ levels were significantly higher in women with PCOS compared to controls (425.1±360.3 vs 89.6±53.5 pg/l, P<0.05), regardless of obesity. DEQ levels in women with PCOS did not differ according to hyperandrogenism, obesity, and polycystic ovaries. DEQ levels were not correlated with clinical, hormonal, and metabolic variables in women with PCOS.

Conclusion: DEQ levels were higher in women with PCOS compared to controls. But DEQ levels did not have any association with hormonal and metabolic features of PCOS. DEQ may have a role in the development of PCOS, but further prospective study using DEQ will be required to determine the exact action on the development of PCOS.