Objective.
Insulin resistance (IR) and ovarian and adrenal
hyperandrogenism are a common finding in women with
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of the present study was to access possible differences in
insulin resistance,
gonadotropins, and
androgens production in obese and nonobese PCOS women. Study Design. We studied 37 PCOS women (16 nonobese and 21 obese) and 18 nonobese controls. Fasting
glucose,
insulin,
androgens, and
gonadotropins levels were determined. Salivary
cortisol was measured basal and in the morning after
dexamethasone (DEX) 0.25 mg. Results. Nonobese PCOS women showed higher basal salivary
cortisol and serum
dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and
luteinizing hormone (LH) levels than controls and obese PCOS. These
hormones levels did not differ between the obese and control groups. After DEX administration no differences were found between the three groups. In PCOS women, salivary
cortisol levels showed negative correlation with BMI (r = -0.52; P = 0.001) and
insulin (r = -0.47; P = 0.003) and positive correlation with LH (r = 0.40; P = 0.016). Conclusion. Our results show an increased adrenocortical production in nonobese PCOS women, not related to IR and associated with a normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal suppression. Higher LH levels might be involved in this event.