Metabolic aspects of obesity and lean PCOS

PhD ceremony: Ms. J.G. Neve-Dolfing, 14.30 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Dissertation: Metabolic aspects of obesity and lean PCOS

Promotor(s): prof. B.H.R. Wolffenbuttel

Faculty: Medical Sciences

There is an increasing number of obese patients in our society. Many obese women are suffering from subfertility frequently related to PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). In this thesis we found no biochemical evidence for increased insulin resistance in lean PCOS subjects. Hormonal evaluation suggests that the origin of the ovulation disorder in lean PCOS is due to an intrinsic ovarian deregulation. In short, we postulate that obese PCOS concerns a syndrome related to metabolic disorders whereas lean PCOS reflects an intrinsic ovarian disease.