Evaluation of Degree of Relationship of Insulin to LH, Testosterone and SHBG in Various PCOS Groups Categorized on the Basis of Altered LH:FSH Ratios

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent cause of female infertility.

Objective: This study aimed to detect effect of insulin on LH, testosterone and SHBG of various PCOS groups. Experimental design: A total of 745 women who were subjected to infertility treatment at infertility clinics were selected. About 50 healthy females with regular menstrual cycles were considered as control. The data were collected from hospital records using subject’s written informed consent.

Results: Relationship of insulin to LH and testosterone was positive and significant only in (p<0.05) in entire PCOD group and PCO subgroups with LH: FSH ratios 1.1-1.5, 1.6-2.5, 2.6-3.5, 3.6-4.5 and 4.6-5.5. The degree of relationship was strong and showed a gradation from lower to higher ranges of LH: FSH ratios. Correlation between insulin and SHBG was inverse and significant (p<0.05) in all PCOD subgroups except in subgroups with LH: FSH ratios <1 and 1. A strong positive relationship was observed between insulin and SHBG in control group. The degree of inverse relationship was strong in PCOD subgroups with higher ranges of LH: FSH ratios.

Conclusion: This study concluded effect of insulin on LH, testosterone and SHBG of various PCOS groups in terms of degree of relationship.