Improvement of hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinemia during pregnancy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: possible effect in the ovarian follicular mass of their daughters

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the ovarian function during early infancy in daughters of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated with metformin throughout pregnancy (PCOSd+M), as a means to reduce androgen and insulin levels, compared with daughters of nontreated PCOS women (PCOSd-M) and daughters of women who belong to a healthy comparison group (HCd).

Design: Descriptive and analytic study.

Setting: Unit of endocrinology and reproductive medicine.

Patient(s): Fifteen PCOSd+M, 23 PCOSd-M, and 35 HCd were studied at 2-3 months of age.

Intervention(s): A GnRH analogue test was performed with determinations of gonadotropins, sex steroids, SHBG, and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH).

Main outcome measure(s): Differences in AMH levels between PCOSd+M, PCOSd-M and HCd.

Result(s): AMH and peak E(2) concentrations were significantly higher in PCOSd-M compared with HCd, whereas PCOSd+M exhibited AMH concentrations and peak E(2) levels similar to those observed in HCd.

Conclusion(s): The improvement of the altered endocrine-metabolic environment of PCOS mothers reduces AMH levels in their daughters, which might reflect a decrease in their follicular mass.