There is no difference in the plasma cortisol level between women with body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal 25 kg/m² and polycystic ovary syndrome and the control group without polycystic ovary syndrome and BMI 25 kg/m².

A 4-8% of women of reproductive age suffer from the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The clinical and/ or biochemical hyperandrogenemia is found up to 75% of women with PCOS. It is unclear whether the hyperandogenemia in PCOS is caused directly by this disorder or by obesity. The recent studies have shown that the cortisol level in PCOS patients can be elevated, decreased or comparable to the control group. The aim of our study was to assess the cortisol plasma level in women with body mass index greater than or equal to 25 kg/ m², with and without PCOS. The study population consisted of 17 overweight women with PCOS and 44 overweight women without PCOS. There were not statistically significant differences in the body mass (group 1: 88.9 ± 17.0 kg, vs. group 2: 84.4 ± 15.2 kg; NS) nor the body mass index between both groups (group 1: 31.7 ± 5.9 kg/m², vs. group 2: 30.6 ± 5.4 kg/m²; NS). The groups did not differ in TSH, FSH, estradiol, SHBG, prolactin level at the baseline. There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in the cortisol levels at 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. Our study suggests that there is no difference in the morning and 7 p.m. cortisol level between the women with and without PCOS among the population of women with body mass index greater than or equal 25 kg/m².

Evening not morning plasma cortisol level is higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to assess the morning and evening cortisol plasma levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MATERIAL AND METHOD: 95 patients gave their informed consent to participate in the study and were divided into 2 groups. Group A consisted of 40 PCOS patients and group B consisted of 55 women without features of PCOS. Between day 5 and 8 of the menstrual cycle, morning (7 am), fasting blood samples were taken for the assessment of luteinizng hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, cortisol, prolactin, thyreotropin (TSH), testosterone and dehydroepeiandrosterone (DHEAS). Evening (5 pm) blood samples were also taken for the evaluation of plasma cortisol level RESULTS: There were no differences in mean age, body mass index (BMI), FSH, SHBG, PRL, estradiol and TSH levels between group A and group B. Mean plasma LH level was higher in group A compared to group B (10.7 ± 6.8 IU/l vs 6.6 ± 4.5 LU/l, p < 0.02). Mean plasma testosterone and DHEAS levels were also higher in PCOS patients (3.8 ± 0.6 nmol/l vs 1.63 ± 0.6 nmol/l; 427.7 ± 162.9 vs 236.6 ± 97.8 respectively, p < 0.001). Mean evening plasma cortisol level was higher in PCOS patients (11.8 ± 4.1 ug/dl vs 4.7 ± 1.3 ug/dl, p < 0.02). Mean morning plasma cortisol levels did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: PCOS women showed the increased evening plasma cortisol level with impacted diurnal secretion rate.

[The impact of polychlorinated biphenyls on placental and ovarian steroidogenesis]. / Polichlorowane bifenyle, a sterydogeneza w lozysku i jajniku.

The structure and turnover of polichlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in environment was presented. The PCB absorption and metabolism in organisms as well as the PCB induced disruption of placental and ovarian steroidogenesis were discussed.

[The impact of polichlorinated biphenyls on neoplastic processes]. / Wplyw polichlorowanych bifenyli na procesy nowotworzenia.

The structure and turnover of polichlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in environment was presented. The PCB absorption and metabolism in organisms as well as the PCB influence on neoplastic process.