TYPICAL HORMONAL PROFILES ARE ACCOMPANIED BY INCREASED IMMUNOREACTIVITY OF THECA FOLLICULI STEROID 17-ALPHA-HYDROXYLASE P450 IN POLYCYSTIC-OVARY-SYNDROME

The localisation and expression of steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase had be en studied in ovaries obtained from 40 patients in whom polycystic ova ry syndrome (PCO) was diagnosed, and in 15 normal ovaries. In patients , elevated serum LH and testosterone and normal FSH, prolactin and deh ydroepiandrosterone levels were recorded. Serum oestradiol concentrati on was slightly decreased. Immunohistochemical staining with the use o f antibody directed against human cytochrome P450c17 (CYP17) revealed that in polycystic as well as in normal ovaries, steroid 17 alpha-hydr oxylase is localised mainly in the thecal cells of atretic follicles a nd in the interstitial cells of the stroma. Greater intensity of the i mmunohistochemical reaction in the polycystic ovaries than in normal c ontrols, indicates a higher concentration of CYP17 and suggests increa sed expression of steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase. It is postulated that the increased expression of ovarian steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase is an important contributory factor in the pathogenesis of PCO. (C) 1998, E ditrice Kurtis.