Dysglycemia, Not Altered Sex Steroid Hormones, Affects Cognitive Function in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

CONTEXT: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine condition characterized by multiple reproductive and metabolic abnormalities. Because individual reproductive and metabolic abnormalities modulate working memory in the general population, there is growing interest in whether cognitive function is dually and negatively affected in PCOS. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of reproductive and metabolic features with cognitive function in women with and without PCOS. DESIGN: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at an academic clinical research center in North America between 2006 and 2009. Common tests of working memory (i.e., manual dexterity, perceptual speed, and visuospatial ability) were performed by women with PCOS (n = 40) and control subjects (n = 40). Markers of sex steroid hormones, ovulatory function, and cardiometabolic health were also assessed. RESULTS: Reduced visuospatial ability was observed in women with PCOS compared with control subjects (P < 0.01). Reduced visuospatial ability was linked to higher levels of hemoglobin A1c in the entire study cohort, independent of body mass index or PCOS status. No associations were observed between visuospatial ability and reproductive features, after controlling for confounding variables. CONCLUSION: Our findings support a role for glycemic control, and not PCOS per se, in cognitive dysfunction in women of reproductive age. Additional studies are needed to understand the short- and long-term effects of dysglycemia on brain health in women with PCOS, given their increased propensity for metabolic comorbidities, compared with control subjects.

Evaluation of ovarian function in 35-40-year-old women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess gonadotrophin secretion, ovarian steroid production and ovarian reserve in PCOS women during the onset of reproductive decline, in order to characterize their ovarian function at this age. STUDY DESIGN: Forty PCOS patients and 35 healthy women (35-40 years of age) were included. Clinical history, anthropometry, transvaginal ultrasound and a leuprolide acetate test (10 µg/kg s.c.) were performed. Gonadotrophins, steroid hormones, SHBG, inhibin B and AMH were determined. RESULTS: Basal and peak LH levels were similar in both groups. Basal and peak FSH levels were significantly higher in the control group. Androgens, peak oestradiol, ovarian volume, antral follicle count and AMH levels were significantly higher in PCOS patients. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that during late reproductive age, gonadotrophin secretion in women with PCOS is clearly different from that observed in control women and may also differ from that of younger PCOS patients. New features like normal LH and lower FSH levels associated with a higher ovarian reserve may give a different reproductive profile to these women.