Changes in Glycosylation of Pituitary Gonadotropins in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Aim: PCOS has endocrine and metabolic implications leading to a multicausal approach in pathogenesis. We assessed whether PCOS is conditioned by changes in glycosylation of pituitary gonadotropins. Methods: Nested case-control cohort study. Gynecology/Obstetrics Hospital 3-A and Unit of Endocrine Research, Mexico City. Forty women in reproductive age were divided in two groups: patients who received treatment with no involution of the cyst and patients who received treatment but showed cyst regression. Hormone concentrations and glycosylation percentage of molecular isoforms of gonadotropins during opsomenorrhea and at 6 months of treatment were determined along with comparison of variables among groups using ANOVA. Result(s): Molecular forms of FSH in women who persisted with ovarian cysts showed an increase in the firmly bound fraction, with forms of high glycosylation content (p <0.05). Determination of LH isoforms showed a lower percentage of weakly bound forms in women who persisted with ovarian cysts (p <0.05). Conclusion(s): Minimal changes were observed in the distribution profile, which may be based on a process of hormonal dysregulation seen only in women who persisted with ovarian cysts. This indicated involvement of the isoforms of gonadotropins on functional changes in the ovary, allowing opportunity to establish new diagnostic criteria and intervention.