Theca Cell Function in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2010-09-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: Female

Summary

The mechanism for increased androgen production in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not well understood. Excess androgen production by the ovary is stimulated by increased pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in this disorder. The investigators hypothesize that in PCOS women ovarian theca cells, which are responsible for androgen synthesis, are more sensitive to LH stimulation compared to that of theca cells from normal women. To test this hypothesis, the investigators propose to conduct a dose-response study in which androgen responses to multiple doses of human chorionic gonadotgropin (hCG), an LH surrogate, will be assessed in PCOS and normal women.

• Phase: Phase 3
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of California, San Diego
• Treatments: Chorionic Gonadotropin

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Normal CBC (Hemoglobin must be at least 11mg/dl)

• Normal renal and liver function tests

• Normal vital signs including normal blood pressure

Exclusion Criteria:

• No oral contraceptives

• No insulin lowering drugs

• No anti-androgens (i.e., spironolactone, flutamide, finasteride, etc)

• No medications that will influence androgen metabolism or clearance

• No medications that will inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzyme system (cimetidine, ketoconozole, etc)

• No use of clomiphene citrate within 3 months prior to study