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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Published on: October 2, 2018
Peripheral catecholamine metabolites and menstrual irregularity in patients with polycystic ovaries
K Yoshino1, K Takahashi, Y Eda
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan.
Objective:
To investigate the catecholamine status of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Design:
Three parallel groups with polycystic ovary were diagnosed by ultrasound: (a) 5 patients with regularly ovulatory menstruation; (b) 10 with anovulatory menstruation; (c) 13 with secondary amenorrhea who responded to progestagen with withdrawal bleeding. Blood samples for measurement of LH, testosterone, and catecholamine metabolites were drawn during cycle days 4-7.
Results:
(1) Serum LH and testosterone of the patient groups (b) and (c) were significantly higher than those of controls. (2) Plasma 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) and the DOPEG/DOPAC ratio were elevated in patients, and DOPAC levels were reduced. However, there was no significant difference of catecholamine metabolites among the three patient groups.
Conclusions:
The androgen status in polycystic ovary diagnosed by ultrasound is correlated, but catecholamine status is not correlated, with the menstrual irregularity of polycystic ovary syndrome.
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