Ghrelin is Independently Associated with Anti-Mullerian Hormone Levels in Obese but not Lean Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

摘要

Ghrelin is an endogenous appetite stimulant that may have a role in ovarian function. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have anovulation and frequently weight management issues; however the associations between ghrelin and hormonal markers in PCOS have not been well studied. In order to characterize the association between total ghrelin levels and ovarian function and the possible modification of this relationship by obesity, we examined total ghrelin levels and AMH, total testosterone, and insulin in obese and lean women with and without PCOS. Total ghrelin levels were lower in obese women with PCOS (n=45) compared to obese controls (n=33) (p=0.005), but similar in lean women with PCOS (n=20) compared to lean controls (n=21) (p=NS). In the obese PCOS group, AMH was associated with ghrelin levels independent of age, insulin, and total testosterone (p=0.008). There was no association between total ghrelin and AMH levels in lean women with PCOS, lean controls, or obese controls (p=NS). Our results provide evidence for a potential relationship between ghrelin and ovarian function in obese women with PCOS that was not observed in lean women with PCOS or controls.