二甲双胍对多囊卵巢综合征患者胰岛素抵抗及排卵的影响

目的探讨胰岛素增敏剂二甲双胍对多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）的胰岛素抵抗及排卵的治疗效果。方法把60例月经稀发或闭经的PCOS患者,随机分成三组,20例给予克罗米酚治疗（克罗米酚组）,20例给予二甲双胍治疗（二甲双胍组）,20例给予二甲双胍及克罗米酚联合治疗,在用药8周后比较各组治疗前后体重指数、腰臀比、黄体生成素（LH）、黄体生成素（LH）与卵泡刺激素（FSH）比值、睾酮及血清胰岛素水平与排卵率的变化。结果经用二甲双呱治疗8周后,测定血LH、LH／FSH、睾酮、血清胰岛素水平有明显下降,差异有显著性（P〈0．01）。二甲双胍组中有8例诱发排卵,克罗米酚组有12例诱发排卵,联合治疗组有18例诱发排卵。结论二甲双胍能改善并诱发排卵功能,并增强多囊卵巢综合征患者对克罗米酚的敏感性。     

吡格列酮二甲双胍片治疗胰岛素抵抗型多囊卵巢综合征患者的疗效

目的 探究吡格列酮二甲双胍片治疗胰岛素抵抗（IR）型多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）患者的临床疗效。方法 选取2018年6月~2019年12月在西北妇女儿童医院收治的50例IR型PCOS患者作为研究对象,予以同等剂量的吡格列酮二甲双胍片治疗12周后,比较治疗前后性激素水平、血糖、血脂、胰岛素抵抗指数、体重指数、甲状腺功能及肝肾功能指标变化情况。结果 治疗后患者LH、PRL、T低于治疗前,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;而治疗前后患者FSH、E2、P比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。治疗后患者FPG、FINS、PBG、PINS、TC、LDL-C及HOMA-IR低于治疗前,HDL-C高于治疗前,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;而治疗前后患者TG比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。治疗后患者TSH、ALT、AST、SCr、BUN及BMI低于治疗前,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 吡格列酮二甲双胍片能改善IR型PCOS患者的胰岛素抵抗,增加胰岛素的敏感性,调节患者体内性激素水平,纠正糖脂代谢紊乱,同时也能改善患者的甲状腺功能,并且对患者的肝肾功能无明显影响。     

多囊卵巢综合征胰岛素抵抗相关基因研究

多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）是常见的影响育龄期妇女的内分泌紊乱性疾病,临床表现各异,相关基因的研究显示可能为关键基因与环境作用所致,胰岛素抵抗是PCOS的重要病理生理变化,并与PCOS的代谢综合征密切相关,PCOS胰岛素抵抗相关基因是目前的基因研究重点。     

二甲双胍治疗克罗米芬抵抗的多囊卵巢综合征56例疗效观察

目的 观察二甲双胍治疗克罗米芬抵抗的多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）患者的疗效。方法 将56例克罗米芬抵抗的PCOS患者，随机分成A组和B组。每组均为28例，A组单用二甲双胍治疗，B组联合服用二甲双胍和克罗米芬治疗，疗程均为3个月。比较两组患者用药前后的FSH，LH、T、FG（空腹血糖）、FINS（空腹胰岛素）水平、排卵率和妊娠率。结果 服用二甲双胍后，能使LH、T和FINS水平下降，与用药前相比，差异有非常显著性意义（P〈0．01），A组有10例排卵，排卵率为35．7％，5例妊娠，妊娠率为17．9％，B组有18例排卵，排卵率为64．3％，13例妊娠，妊娠率为46．4％，两组排卵率、妊娠率比较，差异有显著性意义（P〈0．05）。结论 二甲双胍能降低克罗米芬抵抗的PCOS患者LH、T和FINS水平，并能使部分患者恢复排卵和妊娠，与克罗米芬联用，能提高排卵率和妊娠率。     

PCOS合并胰岛素抵抗患者的内分泌特征及二甲双胍的治疗意义

目的 分析多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）伴胰岛素抵抗患者的内分泌特征，探讨二甲双胍对该类患者临床症状及内分泌指标的影响。方法 按HOMA—IR将49例患者分为胰岛素抵抗组23例，非胰岛素抵抗组26例，比较BMI、FPG、FINS及FSH、LH及总T。对胰岛素抵抗组予二甲双胍治疗3个月，观察治疗前后临床症状及内分泌指标的改善情况。结果 胰岛素抵抗患者BMI、FPG及FINS明显高于非胰岛素抵抗组，二甲双胍治疗后BMI降低，多毛、痤疮有不同程度的减轻。FSH升高（P〈0．05），LH、FINS和HOMA—IR均明显降低（P〈0．01）。结论 胰岛素抵抗患者与非抵抗患者内分泌特征不同，二甲双胍可明显改善胰岛素抵抗的PCOS患者的临床症状和内分泌指标，胰岛素抵抗是二甲双胍治疗的适应证．     

二甲双胍治疗多囊卵巢综合征38例疗效分析

目的观察二甲双胍治疗多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者的疗效。方法60例PCOS患者随机分成二组,对照组22例单服克罗米酚,试验组38例给予二甲双胍750mg/d共三个月,再服克罗米酚,测定所有患者治疗后的排卵率、妊娠率。结果试验组与对照组比较,排卵率、妊娠率均不同程度升高。结论二甲双胍改善了卵巢的排卵功能,提高了妊娠率,是治疗PCOS的新途径。     

复方环丙孕酮联合胰岛素增敏剂对非肥胖多囊卵巢综合征伴有胰岛素抵抗患者治疗效果的观察

目的探讨比较单独应用复方环丙孕酮（CPA）与CPA联合胰岛素增敏剂治疗非肥胖多囊卵巢综合征（P-COS）伴有胰岛素抵抗患者治疗效果的差异,以及二甲双胍和罗格列酮两种胰岛素增敏剂对于上述患者治疗效果的差异。方法68例非肥胖PCOS合并胰岛素抵抗（IR）患者随机分成3组,A组26例,单独应用CPA3个周期;B组23例。应用CPA＋MTE治疗3个周期;C组19例,应用CPA＋罗格列酮治疗3个周期。采取自身对照及组间对照法,比较用药前后血清胰岛素水平、IR指数、体重指数（BMI）、性激素等指标的差异。结果3组病人治疗后T及LH／FSH均较治疗前明显降低,B组、C组病人空腹胰岛素,IR指数等显著改善,B组、C组之间上述指标无显著差异。结论非肥胖型PCOS伴有IR患者应用胰岛素增敏剂,可以明显改善内分泌、代谢紊乱,二甲双胍与罗格列酮比较无显著差异。     

小檗碱联合达英-35治疗多囊卵巢综合征的疗效观察

目的观察小檗碱（BBR）联合达英-35（CPA）对多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）合并胰岛素抵抗（IR）患者治疗效果。方法将89例PCOS合并IR的不孕症患者随机分成3组,连续用药3个月经周期。采取自身对照及组间对照的方法比较用药前后临床表现、糖代谢和性激素等指标的变化。结果 3组患者经过治疗后体重、BMI、总睾酮较治疗前明显降低;小檗碱组患者空腹血清胰岛素水平、空腹血糖、IR指数、腰臀比、T、LH等指标与二甲双胍组组比较有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论 PCOS合并IR的患者应用BBR或MET均可明显改善内分泌代谢紊乱。在改善糖代谢方面,二者效果相当,但在改善中心性肥胖和高雄等方面,BBR更具优势。     

多囊卵巢综合征的胰岛素抵抗及与脂代谢的关联

多囊卵巢综合征（polycystic ovarian syndrome,PCOS）是以排卵稀发、无排卵,高雄激素血症及胰岛素抵抗为特征的内分泌、代谢紊乱症候群,占生育期妇女的5％～10％。由于PCOS临床表现的异质性,其诊断标准和定义仍存在争议。目前应用较广泛的是2003年鹿特丹诊断标准,即只要符合以下3项中的任意两项：①稀发排卵和／或无排卵;②有高雄激素血症的临床表现和／或生化改变;     

多囊卵巢综合征患者血清IGF-1水平与胰岛素抵抗

目的探讨血清胰岛素样生长因子1(IGF-1)、胰岛素敏感指数(ISI)与多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)的关系。方法采集90例PCOS患者和41例正常对照组血清,应用电化学发光法检测胰岛素水平,葡萄糖氧化酶终点法检测空腹葡萄糖(FPG)水平,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测IGF-1水平。结果 1.PCOS患者FPG、血清胰岛素、IGF-1水平明显高于正常对照组(t=16.72,2.24,4.51;P<0.01),且均与患者是否肥胖高度相关(t=5.08,2.07,3.30;P<0.01);2.PCOS患者胰岛素敏感性明显低于对照组,差别有显著性意义(t=3.12,P<0.05);3.PCOS患者血清IGF-1的含量与胰岛素敏感指数呈显著负相关,差别有显著性意义(r=-0.57,P<0.05);对照组血清IGF-1含量与胰岛素敏感指数无明显相关性(r=0.14,P>0.05)。结论多囊卵巢综合征患者存在不同程度的胰岛素抵抗(IR),IGF-1水平增高与PCOS患者发生IR有关,IGF-1可能与PCOS发生、发展有一定的内在联系并起协同作用。     

Follicular hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome patients with normal circulating testosterone levels

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive disease with high heterogeneity. The role of excess androgen in PCOS etiology remains disputed, since around 20%–50% of PCOS women do not display hyperandrogenemia. The microenvironment of the ovary critically influences follicular development. In the present study, we assessed the role of androgen in PCOS by investigating whether excessive follicular fluid androgen was present in PCOS patients with normal serum androgen levels and influenced by follicular fluid insulin resistance (IR). Follicular fluid samples of 105 women with PCOS and 105 controls were collected. Levels of steroid hormones, glucose and insulin in the follicular fluid were examined and compared with data from serum biochemistry tests. We found that 64.9% (63/97) of PCOS patients with normal serum androgen levels displayed abnormally high follicular fluid androgen level. The follicular fluid androgen level was positively correlated with follicular fluid IR within a certain range and follicular fluid estrogen-to-testosterone (E2/T) ratio was significantly reduced in these patients. These results indicated that there existed a subgroup of PCOS patients who displayed excessive follicular fluid androgen and IR despite their normal circulating testosterone (T) levels. Our study highlights the importance of ovary hyperandrogenism and IR in the etiology of PCOS.     

Pioglitazone and metformin in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome not optimally responsive to metformin

BACKGROUND: In an observational study of 13 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) not optimally responsive to metformin diet, we assessed the efficacy and safety of addition of pioglitazone. We also compared these 13 women to 26 women with PCOS, who were responsive to metformin diet, matched by age and by pre- treatment menstrual history and not different by obesity categories. METHODS: Prospectively, as outpatients, with diet constant [1500-2000 calorie (depending on entry body mass index), 26% protein, 44% carbohydrate, 30% fat], metformin (2.55 g/day) was given for 12 months to 39 women, 13 not optimally responsive, 26 responsive to metformin diet, followed by addition of pioglitazone (45 mg/day) for 10 months in the 13 non-responders. Outcome measures included changes in sex hormones, insulin, insulin resistance (IR), insulin secretion, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, weight, and menstrual status. RESULTS: In 13 non-responders, on metformin diet, median serum insulin fell (21 to 16 microIU/ml, P<0.05) and insulin secretion fell from 251 to 200 (P<0.01); weight, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), testosterone and IR were unchanged (P> or =0.07). Compared with 14% pre- treatment, on metformin diet, expected menses occurred 46% of the time at 3 months (P=0.05), 38% at 6 months (P=0.07), 27% at 9 months, and 24% at 12 months. In 26 responders, on metformin diet, median weight fell (93 to 87 kg), testosterone fell (50 to 32 ng/dl), insulin fell (26 to 16 microIU/ml), IR fell (5.32 to 3.45) and insulin secretion fell (351 to 271) (P< or =0.017 for all). The occurrence of expected menses in the 26 responders was 2.5-fold higher than in the 13 non-responders (P<0.0001). In 11 non-responders, on pioglitazone + metformin diet over 10 months versus antecedent metformin diet, DHEAS fell (211 to 171 microg/dl, P=0.02), insulin fell (16 to 10 microIU/ml, P= 0.001), IR fell (3.37 to 1.73, P=0.002), insulin secretion fell (217 to 124, P=0.004), sex hormone-binding globulin rose (31 to 43 nmol/l, P=0.006), and HDL cholesterol rose (38 to 42 mg/dl, P=0.003). On pioglitazone + metformin diet, the occurrence of expected menses was 2-fold higher than on metformin diet (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In women with PCOS who failed to respond optimally to metformin, when pioglitazone was added, insulin, glucose, IR, insulin secretion, and DHEAS fell, HDL cholesterol and sex hormone-binding globulin rose, and menstrual regularity improved, without adverse side-effects.     

Evidence of subpopulations with different levels of insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is non-uniformly associated with insulin resistance (IR). We examined IR in women with PCOS. METHODS: Sixty-nine PCOS women were subjected to the insulin suppression test (IST) to determine their steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) as a direct measure of insulin sensitivity. RESULTS: SSPG exhibited a multimodal distribution suggesting the existence of subpopulations. The heterogeneous distribution of plasma glucose at 180 min (P = 0.011), with three modes, suggested differences in the plasma glucose level trajectories during the IST. Hence, the population was separated into three groups: (i) (n = 33), subjects with SSPG < or = 152.5 mg/dl, corresponding to the first to fifth deciles; (ii) (n = 29), subjects in the interval 152.5 mg/dl < SSPG < or = 300 mg/dl; (iii) (n = 7), subjects with SSPG > 300 mg/dl, corresponding to the tenth decile. Plasma glucose distributions at 180 min showed differences in their mean values and ranges among groups (P < 0.0001). The trajectories of the groups differed significantly during the IST (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: insulin sensitivity in our patients exhibited a discontinuous distribution, implying that PCOS is a heterogeneous disorder possessing subpopulations regarding IR.     

Serum visfatin in relation to insulin resistance and markers of hyperandrogenism in lean and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: Visfatin, a protein secreted by adipose tissue, is suggested to play a role in pathogenesis of insulin resistance. In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), insulin resistance might be involved in the development of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities. The aim of the study was to asses the relation between serum visfatin concentration and insulin sensitivity and markers of hyperandrogenism in lean and obese PCOS patients. METHODS: The study group consisted of 70 women with PCOS (23 lean and 47 obese) and 45 healthy women (25 lean and 20 obese). Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp and the measurements of serum visfatin, sex hormones were performed. RESULTS: The PCOS group had lower insulin sensitivity (P=0.00049) and higher serum visfatin (P=0.047) in comparison to the control group. The decrease in insulin sensitivity was present in both the lean (P=0.019) and obese (P=0.0077) PCOS subjects, whereas increase in serum visfatin was observed only in lean PCOS subjects (P=0.012). In the whole group, serum visfatin was negatively correlated with insulin sensitivity (r=-0.27, P=0.004). This relationship was also observed in the subgroup of lean (r=-0.30, P=0.038), but not obese women. Additionally, in lean women, visfatin was associated with serum testosterone (r=0.47, P=0.002) and free androgen index (r=0.48, P=0.002), independently of other potential confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Visfatin is associated with insulin resistance and markers of hyperandrogenism in lean PCOS patients.     

Insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with elevated plasma homocysteine

BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of plasma homocysteine have recently been implicated as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, pre-eclampsia, and recurrent pregnancy loss, and have been found to be associated with insulin resistance in a number of clinical situations. We examined the relationship between plasma homocysteine and insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: A total of 155 infertile patients with PCOS as defined by clinical, biochemical and ultrasound criteria were screened for insulin resistance utilizing single-sample fasting insulin and glucose measurement, calculated by glucose:insulin ratio or homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. Total plasma homocysteine was measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. One hundred normo-ovulatory women with normal ovaries being treated for other infertility diagnoses served as a control group. RESULTS: Insulin resistance was found in the majority of PCOS patients: -53.5% (83/155), 60.6% (94/155) and 65.8% (102/155), when defined by fasting insulin, glucose:insulin ratio, or logHOMA respectively. Mean plasma homocysteine in the PCOS group was significantly higher than in the normal ovary group (11.5 +/- 7.4 versus 7.4 +/- 2.1 micromol/l, P < 0.001). Insulin-resistant PCOS patients had significantly higher plasma homocysteine (12.4 +/- 8.4 micromol/l) than non-insulin-resistant PCOS patients (9.6 +/- 4.4 micromol/l) regardless of body mass index (P = 0.003 by groups, P = 0.005 by correlation of single samples). Thirty-four per cent (53/155) of the PCO patients had homocysteine values >95th percentile of the controls (11.0 micromol/l, P < 0.0001). Statistically significant correlations were found between all insulin resistance indices and homocysteine levels. Multiple logistic regression defined insulin resistance as the major factor examined that influenced homocysteine levels. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia in patients with PCOS is associated with elevated plasma homocysteine, regardless of body weight. This finding may have important implications in the short term regarding reproductive performance, and in the long term regarding cardiovascular complications associated with insulin-resistant PCOS.     

Leptin, polycystic ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome.

As soon as leptin was discovered four years ago, its potential as a player in the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was explored in a primitive way, though little light was shed on the enigma that is PCOS. As a second wave of leptin research is now available, we review how the expanded role of the cytokine in reproduction might yet impact upon our understanding of PCOS.     

Comparison of the effects of acarbose and metformin use on ovulation rates in clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of metformin and acarbose on insulin resistance, hormone profiles and ovulation rates in patients with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Thirty clomiphene citrate-resistant patients were selected randomly and divided into two groups. Group I was treated with 100 mg/day clomiphene citrate and 300 mg/day acarbose 100 mg/day orally, for 3 months. Group II was treated with clomiphene citrate 100 mg/day and metformin 1700 mg/day orally, for 3 months. Serum fasting insulin and glucose, FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin and total testosterone levels plus body mass index (BMI) were measured before and after treatment. Follicle growth was followed by transvaginal ultrasonography. RESULTS: LH:FSH ratio and total testosterone concentrations decreased (P<0.05) and ovulation rates increased in both groups. Reduction in weight and BMI was only significant in the acarbose group. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatment modalities were effective in the treatment of insulin resistance and improving ovulation rates. Increase in the number of eumenorrhoeic and normoinsulinaemic cases and decrease in the number of insulin-resistant cases were significant in both groups (P<0.05). Ovulation rate was greater in the metformin group in the second month of therapy (P<0.05). Acarbose was found to be a safe and effective agent that could be used in cases with clomiphene-resistant PCOS.     

Metabolic syndrome in young Czech women with polycystic ovary syndrome

METHODS: Sixty-nine young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [age 25.2+/- 4.7 years, with body mass index (BMI) 24.3 +/- 4.8 kg/m2; mean 6 SD] and 73 age-matched healthy females (BMI 22.3 +/- 3.3 kg/m2; mean +/- SD) were evaluated for the occurrence of features of metabolic syndrome according to the Adult Treatment Panel III. RESULTS: Overt metabolic syndrome (the presence of three and more risk factors) was not more common in PCOS women (1/64, 1.6%) than in healthy controls (0/73, 0%). On the other hand, in nearly 50% of PCOS women isolated features of metabolic syndrome, most often a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, were found. Women with at least one feature of metabolic syndrome were, in comparison with women without any of these features, significantly more obese (P = 0.0001), with lower insulin sensitivity (P = 0.05). When comparing PCOS women according to the degree of insulin sensitivity, as determined by euglycaemic clamp, isolated features of metabolic syndrome were found in 8/17 women above the upper quartile, compared with 11/16 women below the lower quartile of insulin sensitivity (P = 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Overt metabolic syndrome is only rarely encountered in young Czech females affected by PCOS but its isolated features are relatively frequent, both in young PCOS patients and in age-matched control women.     

Metformin during pregnancy reduces insulin, insulin resistance, insulin secretion, weight, testosterone and development of gestational diabetes: prospective longitudinal assessment of women with polycystic ovary syndrome from preconception throughout pregnancy

BACKGROUND: In a prospective observational study of 42 pregnancies in 39 Caucasian women (age 30 +/- 4 years) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we examined effects of metformin on maternal insulin, insulin resistance (IR), insulin secretion (IS), weight gain, development of gestational diabetes (GD), testosterone and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity. We assessed the hypothesis that diet-metformin (MET) lessens the physiological gestational increase in IR and reduces gestational weight gain, thus reducing GD. METHODS: Preconception, in an out-patient clinical research centre, MET 1.5 (eight pregnancies) to 2.55 g/day (34 pregnancies) was started. Women with body mass index <25 or >or=25 kg/m(2) were given a 2000 or 1500 calorie/day, high-protein (26% of calories), low-carbohydrate (44%) diet. Calorie restrictions were dropped after conception. RESULTS: On MET, GD developed in three out of 42 pregnancies (7.1%). Median entry weight (94.5 kg) fell to 82.7 on MET at the last preconception visit (P = 0.0001), fell further to 81.6 during the first trimester, was 83.6 in the second trimester, and 89.1 kg in the third trimester. Median weight gain during pregnancy was 3.5 kg. The median percentage reduction in serum insulin was 40% on MET at the last preconception visit; insulin did not increase in the first or second trimesters (P > 0.05), and rose 10% in the third trimester. The median percentage reduction in HOMA IR was 46% on MET at the last preconception visit; IR did not increase (P > 0.05) in the first, second or third trimesters. HOMA insulin secretion fell 45% on MET at the last preconception visit, did not increase in the first trimester, rose 24% in the second trimester, and rose 109% in the third trimester. Testosterone fell 30% on MET at the last preconception visit (P = 0.01) and then rose 74, 61 and 95% during trimesters 1, 2 and 3; median testosterone during the third trimester did not differ from pre-treatment levels. CONCLUSIONS: By reducing preconception weight, insulin, IR, insulin secretion and testosterone, and by maintaining these insulin-sensitizing effects throughout pregnancy, MET-diet reduces the likelihood of developing GD, and prevents androgen excess for the fetus.     

Effects of two antiandrogen treatments on hirsutism and insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Thirty-two women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) wereallocated to two antiandrogen treatment regimens; 28 women completedthe trial. Twenty women were treated with ethinyloestradioland cyproterone acetate (EO-CA) cyclically for 6 months andeight women were treated with the gonadotrophin releasing hormone(GnRH) analogue, goserelin for 6 months. Effects on hirsutism,insulin sensitivity (estimated by glucose clamp technique),blood lipids and hormones were measured. Women treated withEO-CA showed a reduction in hirsutism (P <0.05), and decreasedserum androgen concentrations (P <0.001) as well as reducedinsulin sensitivity (P <0.05). In women treated with goserelin,serum androgen concentrations also decreased (P <0.001),but there was no significant reduction of hirsutism. This group,however, showed an improved insulin sensitivity (P <0.05)despite an unchanged body mass index. Bone mineral density wasunaltered in both treatment groups. The reduction in androgenconcentrations caused by EO-CA was not paralleled by increasedinsulin sensitivity, most probably due to the effect of ethinyloestradiolper se. In contrast, the reduction in androgen concentrationsby goserelin was accompanied by an improved insulin sensitivity.