Norman, R.Milner, C.Groome, N.Robertson, D.2006-06-242006-06-242001Human Reproduction, 2001; 16(4):668-6720268-11611460-2350http://hdl.handle.net/2440/8219© 2001 European Society of Human Reproduction and EmbryologyFamilial 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.enActivinfollistatininhibinPCOSJournal article002001084210.1093/humrep/16.4.6680001679152000152-s2.0-003507019361757Norman, R. [0000-0002-3118-3896]