Serum and follicular fluid levels of IGF-II, IGF-binding protein-4 and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycle between polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and non-PCOS women

Methods. COH was performed for total 30 sterile women (20 with PCOS and 10 with normal ovarian function). The serum and follicular fluid (FF)from dominant follicles levels of IGF alpha, IGFBP4 and PAPP-A before COH, day of hCG, and were measured using an ELISA. Results. The PCOS women had significantly higher day 3 serum PAPP-A, day of hCG serum IGFBP-4, and ff IGF-II levels compared to the normoovulatory subjects. Serum levels of IGF-II and IGFBP-4 in PCOS women had increased after gonadotropins stimulation, and yet PAPP-A was decreased. Within the PCOS women, day of hCG serum IGFBP-4 was strongly correlated with BMI (r = 0.777; P = 0.000), day of hCG IGF II (r = -0.573, p = 0.008), ff IGF II (r = -0.573, p = 0.008) and ff PAPP-A (r = -0.461, p = 0.041) was inversely related to diameter > 16 mm follicle number and day 3 PAPP-A correlated to diameter > 16 mm follicle number (r = 0.474; p = 0.035). Conclusions. Ovarian IGF system on the gonadotropin response to differences in the PCOS and non-PCOS women in COH cycle, and may indicate a inordinate IGF system that might disturb folliculogenesis in PCOS women.