[Polycystic ovary syndrome: a disorder of insulin action and an increased risk for onset of non-insulin-dependent diabetes].

Hyperandrogenemia may be the most common endocrinopathy in women, affecting up to 10% of all women and as many as 30% of certain subgroups. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have a unique disorder of insulin action and are at increased risk to develop NIDDM. NIDDM in women with PCOS has earlier age of onset than it does in the general population. Insulin-induced receptor autophosphorylation is diminished in 50% of PCOS women. PCOS may be a disease of abnormal protein tyrosine kinase receptor signaling. IGF-I and IGF-II play an important role in regulating ovarian androgen production via receptors.