Ovarian enlargement as a possible marker of androgen activity in polycystic ovary syndrome.

This study has been carried out in an attempt to analyze clinical, hormonal and ultrasonography data and to evaluate their possible interrelationships in a group of 72 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Seventeen (23.6%) PCO women were found to have ovarian volume within normal range, while 72.2% had enlarged ovaries. Serum testosterone, androstenedione and DHEAS levels were higher in PCO women with enlarged ovaries when compared to patients who had ovarian volume within normal range, although the difference was not significant. However, when PCO patients were divided into subgroups according to the degree of ovarian enlargement, it was found that patients with the most enlarged ovaries had significantly higher serum androstenedione levels than those with normal ovarian volume (p = 0.039). Significant positive correlation was established between serum androstenedione concentration and ovarian volume (r = + 0.23, p less than 0.05). Hirsutism was found to be equally present in patients with normal ovarian volume (70.6%) and in patients with enlarged ovaries (71.2%) while oligomenorrhea was present more frequently among PCO women who had ovarian volume within normal range (64.7% vs. 40.4%). The results of our study allow us to suggest ovarian enlargement as a marker of excessive androgen production and disturbances of menstrual cycle in polycystic ovary syndrome.