Androgen levels during sequential insulin euglycemic clamp studies in patients with polycystic ovary disease

It is postulated that insulin may play a role in the regulation of ovarian androgen production. In order to test the possible interrelation between serum insulin levels and androgen production, sequential euglycemic insulin clamp (Mode 9:1 on Biostator, insulin infusion rate: 0.1; 0.2 and 0.4 U/kg b. wt/h, each rate for 90 min, BC = 80 mg/dl) was done in 6 patients with polycystic ovary disease and normal glucose tolerance. Insulin, C-Peptide, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate were measured in 0, 70, 80, 90, 160, 170, 180, 250, 260 and 270 min. Significant suppression of C-Peptide levels were achieved (0 min vs 270 min = 0.81 + 0.25 vs 0.15 + 0.20 nmol/l; P less than 0.05). Basal insulin as well as the mean plateau for each insulin infusion rate were as follows: 28 + 9; 248 + 119; 427 + 69 and 524 + 77 microU/l. There was significant testosterone increase at the end of insulin infusion (0 vs 270 min = 4.8 + 1.2 vs 8.1 + 1.7 nmol/l; P less than 0.05). There were no significant changes in dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate levels during clamp studies (0 vs 270 min = 1055 + 133 vs 913 + 114 ng/ml; P greater than 0.05). It is concluded that acute insulin infusion under the condition of sequential euglycemic clamp could increase androgen production in the ovaries of patients with PCO.