The numbers of 2- 5 and 6-9 mm ovarian follicles are inversely correlated in both normal women and in polycystic ovary syndrome patients: what is the missing link?

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is the negative correlation between the numbers of 2-5 and 6-9 mm follicles influenced by ovarian and/or metabolic parameter(s) in young control women and in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)? SUMMARY ANSWER Our study confirmed that the negative correlation bet...

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Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 2018-04, Vol.33 (4), p.706-714
Main Authors: Peigné, M, Catteau-Jonard, S, Robin, G, Dumont, A, Pigny, P, Dewailly, D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Estradiol - blood
Female
Follicle Stimulating Hormone - blood
Gynecology and obstetrics
Human health and pathology
Humans
Life Sciences
Luteinizing Hormone - blood
Ovarian Follicle - diagnostic imaging
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - blood
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - diagnostic imaging
Reproductive Biology
Retrospective Studies
Testosterone - blood
Ultrasonography
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is the negative correlation between the numbers of 2-5 and 6-9 mm follicles influenced by ovarian and/or metabolic parameter(s) in young control women and in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)? SUMMARY ANSWER Our study confirmed that the negative correlation between numbers of follicles sized 2-5 and 6-9 mm was stronger in PCOS than in young control women and was not linked to any ovarian or metabolic parameter. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Previous reports described a direct negative correlation between the number of small antral follicles (2-5 mm) and large antral follicle (6-9 mm) during the early follicular phase (cycle Days 2-5) in normal and PCOS women. Numerous factors, that could be either intrinsic to the ovary or secondary to metabolic influence and/or gonadotropin regulation, might account for this. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Six hundred and thirty-nine patients with PCOS according to Rotterdam Criteria and 157 control women were recruited in this retrospective cross-sectional study from January 2009 to January 2016. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Data were obtained from a database of clinical, hormonal and ultrasound (U/S) features recorded consecutively in a single reproductive medicine centre. Univariate correlations between the various parameters were analysed by the Spearman's correlation test. All variables significantly related to the 2-5 and/or 6-9 mm follicle numbers were included in a principal component analysis (PCA) in order to structure the data and to obtain collections of uncorrelated variables, called principal components (PC), which are linear combinations of the original variables. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE By univariate analysis, the 2-5 and 6-9 mm follicle numbers were strongly but negatively correlated in both populations. Many other variables were correlated to the 2-5 and/or 6-9 mm follicle numbers and to each other. By PCA, these relationships were gathered into four independent PCs in each population. In both groups, the 2-5 and 6-9 mm follicle numbers correlated strongly and inversely to a specific PC. Among the other variables tested, only serum oestradiol level correlated weakly to this PC in the control group. Two other uncorrelated PCs gathered relationships between variables linked to the metabolic status and the gonadotropin regulation both in control and PCOS women. Lastly, a fourth PC included relationships which linked to ovarian ageing in controls and to fo
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/humrep/dey017