Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder characterised by menstrual dysfunction, infertility, presence of polycystic ovaries and biochemical and clinical hyperandrogenism affecting up to 4–18% women of reproductive age. Vitamin D is thought to influence the development of PCOS through gene transcription and hormonal modulation of insulin metabolism and fertility regulation. The aim of this prospective case–control study was to investigate prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its relation to clinical, anthropometrical, and biochemical findings in PCOS and controls.

Methods: 25(OH)D, anthropometric, endocrine, and metabolic parameters were evaluated in 99 women with PCOS according to Rotterdam criteria and in 66 controls, recruited prospectively.

Results: There was no significant difference in 25(OH)D levels between PCOS women and controls (24.79±10.77 ng/ml vs 25.07±10.14 ng/ml, P=0.868) and also in the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in both groups (80% vs 70%; P=0.138). PCOS women with metabolic syndrome (MS) had lower serum 25(OH)D compared to those without MS (20.6±8.3 ng/ml vs 25.9±11.3 ng/ml, P=0.049). PCOS women with vitamin D deficiency had borderline higher serum triacylglycerides (1.44±0.93 vs 1.03±0.46, P=0.051) and tended to have higher HOMA-IR (median (quartiles): 2.24 (1.38–3.51) vs 1.85 (1.04–3.68), P=0.467) compared to PCOS with sufficient vitamin D levels. 25(OH)D correlated positively with HDL-cholesterol in all subjects (r=0.159, P=0.043; P adjusted for age, BMI, P_adj=0.03) and negatively with LH/FSH ratio (r=−0.211, P=0.037) in PCOS.

Conclusions: Insulin resistance and other metabolic abnormalities in PCOS women seem to be related to PCOS rather than to vitamin D deficiency.