Circulating follistatin concentrations are higher and activin concentrations are lower in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Date

2001

Authors

Norman, R.
Milner, C.
Groome, N.
Robertson, D.

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Journal article

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Human Reproduction, 2001; 16(4):668-672

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Robert J. Norman, Clyde R. Milner, Nigel P. Groome and David M. Robertson

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Abstract

Familial polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been proposed to be linked to a site near the follistatin gene. We studied the concentrations of circulating follistatin, activin A and inhibin B in well-characterized subjects with PCOS (n = 108) and controls without PCOS (n = 20). Mean (± SEM) concentrations of follistatin were higher (P < 0.05) in PCOS (0.27 ± 0.03 ng/ml) than controls (0.15 ± 0.02 ng/ml) and activin A were lower (P < 0.05) in PCOS (0.20 ± 0.01ng/ml) than controls (0.24 ± 0.02 ng/ml). Inhibin B concentrations were not different between the two groups: PCOS (0.06 ± 0.01ng/ml), and controls (0.06 ± 0.01ng/ml). It is proposed that higher concentrations of follistatin with lower concentrations of activin A may relate to follicular development not proceeding beyond 8–10 mm and may be partly responsible for the lack of pre-ovular follicle development in PCOS.

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© 2001 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

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