The cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common hormonal conditions in women, has been discovered by French researchers. Nothing to do with being overweight, but it would come from exposure before birth to a growth factor, the anti-Mullerian hormone. Treatment is immediately available.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects about one in five women. There is an excess of androgenic hormones and the menstrual cycles are very irregular and sometimes without ovulation. This syndrome is the root cause of infertility in women and the available treatments only lead to less than 30% success over a series of 5 menstrual cycles.
Until now, the responsibility for hyperandrogenism and excess weight has been raised, but a study published in the journal Nature Medicine shows a link between polycystic ovary syndrome and prenatal exposure, in the uterus, to a growth factor,anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH).
Transmission during pregnancy
The team of researchers, led by Paolo Giacobini of theInserm (National Institute of Health and Medical Research), found that pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome had 30% higher anti-Mullerian hormone levels. However, this hormone is responsible for a hormonal imbalance in the uterus and therefore in female fetuses.
Until now, research has not determined a specific cause for this condition. But, due to uncertain hereditary character, the scientists in the study decided to see whether or not women who suffered from this hormonal imbalance gave birth to daughters, who themselves had polycystic ovary syndrome.
The test was carried out on mice. They injected them with a higher dose of anti-Müllerian hormone. And they indeed gave birth to female mice who developed symptoms similar to those of polycystic ovary syndrome: fertility problems or delayed puberty.
The female fetus becomes masculine
According to the researchers, the anti-Mullerian hormone appears to over-stimulate a set of cells in the brain that are directly involved in the management of blood levels. testosterone which leads to the increase of this hormone in the blood and the uterus. Consequence: the female fetus displays a high level of testosterone, it “masculinizes” and we speak of “hyperandrogenism”.
It was known that women suffering from PCOS had this form of hormonal imbalance, which is also manifested by excessive hairiness in “male areas”, such as the face, neck, back or shoulders.
Towards an understanding of the origin of the most common female infertility disorder https://t.co/h4umkxk5TU pic.twitter.com/5yiGKHtO5h
– Inserm (@Inserm) May 17, 2018
Cure hormonal disorder
In the process, the researchers would have found a way to treat the affection because a molecule would regulate the functioning of these cells. This is a drug already marketed in other indications, the cetrorelix, which is used for in vitro fertilization (IVF). BY using cetrorelix in mice with polycystic ovary syndrome the symptoms resolved.
The team now plans to try the drug on women with PCOS in a scientific trial that is currently being established. “This could be an interesting strategy to restore ovulation and possibly increase the pregnancy rate in these women”, explains Paolo Giacobini. in an interview with New Scientist.
This is a radically different way of looking at the cause of polycystic ovary syndrome, with new avenues for research.
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