The Associations between Sex Hormones and Lipid Profiles in Serum of Women with Different Phenotypes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between selected serum sex hormones and lipid profiles in a group of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) dividing according to four phenotypes, value of body mass index (BMI), and presence of hyperlipidemia. The study included 606 Caucasian women. Lipids and selected hormones were estimated using commercially available procedures during hospitalization in 2017. Phenotype of PCOS, BMI value, and hyperlipidemia were significant factors that influenced androgen hormone concentrations, such as total and free testosterone and androstenedione as well as the value of free androgen index (FAI). Moreover, significant changes in concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were found between those groups. Higher quartiles of triglyceride concentrations increased the odds ratio of decreased concentrations of SHBG or increased values of FAI, while an adverse relation was found in case of HDL-C. The concentration of estradiol in the blood of women with PCOS was not associated with lipid profile parameters in any investigated groups. Probably, irregularities in sex hormone concentrations during PCOS is not directly associated with lipid profile parameters but could be reflective of the concentration of SHBG or the ratio of SHBG and total testosterone and their association with lipids.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between selected serum sex hormones and lipid profiles in women with PCOS, dividing them into different phenotypes, BMI values, and presence of hyperlipidemia. Significant associations were found between phenotype, BMI, hyperlipidemia, and androgen hormone concentrations, as well as changes in SHBG concentrations with triglyceride levels and HDL-C. However, estradiol concentration was not associated with lipid profile parameters. Overall, irregularities in sex hormone concentrations during PCOS may reflect the concentration of SHBG or the ratio of SHBG and total testosterone, rather than a direct association with lipid profile parameters.