Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
08:20
A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Published on: October 2, 2018
Hyperandrogenemia: pathophysiology and its role in ovulatory dysfunction in PCOS
Evanthia Diamanti-Kandarakis1, Joanna Papailiou, Sotiria Palimeri
1Endocrine Section, First Department of Internal Medicine, Laiko Hospital, Athens University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece. akandara@otenet.gr
Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews : PER
|April 28, 2006
Summary
Hyperandrogenemia, a common hormonal disorder, affects infertile women from puberty. Early diagnosis and management are crucial for women's health and fertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Hyperandrogenemia is the most frequent hormonal disorder in infertile women.
- Symptoms may manifest as early as puberty.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the impact of hyperandrogenemia on ovarian function.
- To explore the role of hyperandrogenemia in anovulation and infertility.
- To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on hyperandrogenemia.
- Analysis of the pathophysiological mechanisms linking hyperandrogenemia to infertility.
- Discussion of clinical implications for diagnosis and treatment.
Main Results:
- Hyperandrogenemia significantly impacts normal ovarian function.
- It is a key contributor to anovulation and subsequent infertility.
- Evidence supports the critical role of timely intervention.
Conclusions:
- Hyperandrogenemia poses a significant threat to female reproductive health.
- Prompt identification and management are essential for improving fertility outcomes.
- Further research into targeted therapies may be beneficial.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
02:07Oogenesis
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
01:22Oogenesis
Oogenesis, the process of developing egg cells (female gametes), occurs within the ovaries and is fundamental to female fertility. This sequence begins during fetal development when diploid oogonia in the developing ovaries undergo mitotic divisions to produce primary oocytes. By birth, these primary oocytes enter prophase I of meiosis but become arrested in this stage, remaining suspended until puberty.
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
01:22Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
01:27Ovarian Cycle
The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle length...
01:20Folliculogenesis
Folliculogenesis is the development of ovarian follicles, the specialized structures within the ovarian cortex where oogenesis, or egg development, occurs. This process is essential for female reproductive health and begins during fetal development when primordial follicles are formed. Each primordial follicle comprises a primary oocyte in the center, surrounded by a single layer of squamous pre-granulosa cells. These follicles remain dormant in late prophase I of meiosis until triggered by...