Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Evaluation of Hepatic Glucose Production in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mouse Model
Published on: March 5, 2022
Polyendocrine-Metabolic Profile in Adolescents and Young Women with Ovulatory Dysfunction: A Cross-Sectional Study
Juan Pablo Del Río1, Hugo Soto2, Patricio Contreras2
1Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile.
Abstract:
(1) Background: Ovulatory dysfunction (OD) is frequently the first clinical expression of an underlying polyendocrine or metabolic disturbance. In the context of the international consensus renaming polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), our primary aim was to estimate the prevalence of four OD-associated endocrinopathies-hyperandrogenemia, insulin resistance (IR), thyroid dysfunction, and hyperprolactinemia-in a Chilean symptomatic clinical cohort, and to compare their frequencies between adolescents and young adults. (2) Methods: Cross-sectional study including 251 women (≥2 years post-menarche) with confirmed OD, stratified into Group A (12-18 years; n = 96) and Group B (19-35 years; n = 155). (3) Results: Hyperandrogenemia was the most prevalent endocrinopathy in both groups (50.0% vs. 49.0%; p = 0.882), driven primarily by elevated dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in Group A (37.5% vs. 24.5%; p = 0.028). IR was significantly more frequent in adolescents (55.2% vs. 41.3%; p = 0.032). Thyroid dysfunction (primary threshold: thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] > 5.0 μIU/mL) was present in 2.1% and 5.2% of Groups A and B (p = 0.226). Hyperprolactinemia (>25 ng/mL; macroprolactin-excluded) was detected in 13.5% and 13.6% (p = 0.999). (4) Conclusions: All four endocrinopathies were detectable during adolescence, with prevalences largely comparable to those observed in young adult women, supporting the rationale for considering structured polyendocrine evaluation in women with OD ≥ 2 years post-menarche within the PAInT (Prolactin, Androgens, Insulin, and Thyroid hormones) framework.
Related Concept Videos
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
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...
Oogenesis
Oogenesis
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
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.
Hormonal Regulation
Hormonal Regulation
