M. Guido et al., Influence of body mass on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis responseto naloxone in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, FERT STERIL, 71(3), 1999, pp. 462-467
Objective: To evaluate the influence of body mass on the hypothalamic-pitui
tary-adrenal (HPA)-axis response to naloxone in polycystic ovary syndrome (
PCOS).
Design: Controlled clinical study.
Setting: Academic research environment.
Patient(s): Ten lean and 10 obese women with PCOS compared with 7 lean and
8 obese control subjects matched for body mass index.
Intervention(s): Each patient received an nr bolus of naloxone at a dosage
of 125 mu g/kg.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Samples were collected 30 minutes before and 0, 15
, 30, 10, 90, and 120 minutes after injection: ACTH and cortisol levels wer
e measured in all plasma samples.
Result(s): No significant differences were found in the ACTH and cortisol r
esponses to opioid blockade between lean women with PCOS and lean as well a
s obese control subjects; conversely, obese patients with PCOS showed a hig
her ACTH and cortisol responses to naloxone compared with all other groups.
Conclusion(s): Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis abnormalities of PCOS ma
y be central in origin and abdominal obesity seems to play a key role in th
e HPA-axis hyperactivity of women with PCOS when naloxone is administered.
(Fertil Steril(R) 1999;71:462-7. (C)1999 by American Society for Reproducti
ve Medicine.).