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Comparison of Follicle-Stimulating-Hormone-Stimulated Dimeric Inhibin and Estradiol Responses as Indicators of Granulosa Cell Function in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Normal Women

Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: R. Jeffrey Chang, M.D., Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0633. E-mail: rjchang{at}ucsd.edu.

Context: Follicular phase secretion of inhibin B, like that of estradiol (E₂), correlates with the quantity and quality of developing follicles. However, it has not been established whether inhibin B responses to gonadotropin stimulation parallel those of E₂ as a reflection of granulosa cell functional capacity.

Objective: Our objective was to determine whether inhibin B responses to FSH stimulation are similar to those of E₂ in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and normal women.

Design and Setting: We conducted a prospective study to compare ovarian responses in two groups of women at a general clinical research center in a tertiary academic medical center.

Patients: Women with PCOS, 18–35 yr (n = 19), and normal ovulatory controls, 18–35 yr (n = 7), were recruited for study.

Interventions: Serum samples were measured over a 24-h period after an iv injection of recombinant human FSH, 150 IU.

Main Outcome Measures: Serum E₂, inhibin A, and inhibin B responses after FSH administration were assessed.

Results: In PCOS women, the 24-h production of inhibin B and E₂ after FSH was significantly greater than that of normal controls. Within the PCOS group, the fold change in inhibin B was significantly greater than that of E₂. Inhibin A responses between groups were similar and of markedly lower magnitude.

Conclusions: FSH-stimulated inhibin B responses may be employed to assess the functional capacity of granulosa cells in PCOS and normal women.

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