Relationship of androgens to muscle size and bone mineral density in womenwith polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of androgens to regional muscle size and bone mineral density (BMD) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Seventy-one amenorrheic and right-side dominant women with PCOS (m ean age +/- standard deviation 28.1 +/- 6.7 years) were enrolled. Baseline characteristics included age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Re gional BAM and lean mass were measured by whole-body scanning with dual-ene rgy x-ray absorptiometry. Serum levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandroster one sulfate (DHEAS), and androstenedione were measured by radioimmunoassay. Correlations between regional BMD and variables were investigated using a Pearson correlation test and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Serum testosterone levels correlated significantly with lean mass of the left arm, right arm, trunk, left leg, and right leg (r = .34, P < .0 5 to r = .50, P < .01). Regional lean mass correlated significantly with re spective regional BMD (r = .30, P < .05 to r = .68, P < .001). These relati onships remained significant after adjusting for age, height, and weight. S erum testosterone levels were not correlated with BAM of the bilateral arms and lumbar spine. Although serum testosterone levels correlated with leg B MD (r = .34, P < .05 to r = .45, P < .01), significance did not persist aft er adjusting for respective regional lean mass. CONCLUSION: Testosterone influences regional BMD through increasing regiona l muscle mass in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. (C) 2001 by the Amer ican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.