Pattern of Inhibin B hormone secretion in polycystic ovarian disease

Abstract

disorder characterized by two of the following three criteria; oligo- and/or anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries (The Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop 2004). Infertility due to chronic anovulation is the most common reason for seeking treatment. (Bayram et al, 2005) The polycystic ovary syndrome remains one of the most common hormonal disorders in women, with a prevalence estimated between 5 and 10 percent. (Knochenhauer et al, 1998; Diamanti-Kandarakis et al, 1999; Asuncion et al, 2000)

A substantial proportion of women with the polycystic ovary syndrome are overweight; many are obese, some extremely so. (Ehrmann et al, 1999) Although obesity itself is not considered the inciting event in the development of the syndrome, excess adiposity can exacerbate associated reproductive and metabolic derangements. (Ehrmann, 2005)

Activin and Inhibin are peptide members of transforming growth factor-β family. (Risbridger et al, 2001) Inhibin consists of two dissimilar peptides (known as alpha and beta subunits) linked by disulphide bonds. Two forms of inhibin (inhibin-A and inhibin-B) have been purified, each containing an identical alpha subunit and distinct but related beta subunits. Thus, there are three subunits for inhibins: alpha, beta-A, and beta-B. Each subunit is a product of different messenger RNA; therefore, each is derived from its own large precursor