[Polycystic ovaries. Round table]

Because of the variety and inconstancy of the clinical symptoms, it is difficult to establish a classification of the clinical forms. However, the laboratory profile, essentially a raised serum LH, is fairly constant in every case. The pathophysiology of the disequilibrium of androgen and gonadotrophin secretion can be explained on the basis of various initial functional abnormalities, such as an excess of adrenal androgens or LH or, conversely, a deficiency of FSH. Cystic disease is very common in veterinary medicine and presents a number of specific features. The treatment of polycystic ovaries depends on the symptoms (hirsutism, amenorrhea, sterility). In the case of sterility, inducers of ovulation are effective, but are very difficult to manipulate. A number of authors propose surgical excision (removal of the larger of the two ovaries).