The present investigation was designed to determine whether infertile women
with polycystic ovaries (PCO) have sonographic or endocrinological differe
nces compared with women with PCO proven to be fertile. Sonographic morphol
ogy of the ovary was not significantly different between the groups. Howeve
r, serum concentrations of 3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide (3 alpha-diol
G) were significantly higher in infertile women with PCO than in those prov
en to be fertile. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was noted
between 3 alpha-diolG and luteinizing hormone (LH) in infertile women, but
not in those who were fertile. The higher correlation between serum 3 alph
a-diolG concentrations and serum LH concentrations seen in infertile women
with PCO, with the lack of a significant difference in LH concentrations be
tween infertile and fertile women, suggests that serum 3 alpha-diolG may be
a leading cause of subfertility in women with PCO, Accordingly, our eviden
ce for increased 3 alpha-diolG in the infertile group needs to be confirmed
by further studies, including direct 5 alpha-reductase assay, adrenal func
tion tests and evaluation of hepatic conjugation activity.