17‐Hydroxyprogesterone response to buserelin testing in the polycystic ovary syndrome

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE We determined the 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH P) response to buserelin, a GnRH agonist, and its relation to ovarian volume in the patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN We compared 17-OH P response to buserelin in a large group of patients with that In a control group of healthy women. We also investigated whether there is any relation between LH-induced 17-OH P production in response to buserelin and ovarian volume. PATIENTS Ten normal women and 31 women with PCOS were included in the study. MEASUREMENT Pelvic ultrasound examination by abdominal or vaginal transducer was performed. Serum basal levels of LH, FSH, free testosterone and 17-OH P were measured by radioimmunoassay. 17-OH P responses to both ACTH and buserelin were detected. Cortisol levels were measured before and after dexamethasone suppression. RESULTS The subcutaneous administration of 1 mg buserelin produced an increase in serum 17-OH P, which peaked within 24 hours in all groups. The mean ±SEM level of 17-OH P, 24 hours after buserelin stimulation in the women with PCOS (15.94 ±1.31 nmol/l) was significantly higher (Pr= 0.53, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the serum 17-OH P response to a 1-mg subcutaneous test dose of buserelin may be a diagnostic and practical test for PCOS. Increased ovarian volume in PCOS may be responsible for the elevated 17-OH P response to buserelin, a GnRH agonist, at least in some patients.