High insulin could indicate ovary syndrome

Hershey, Pa -- U.S. scientists say high levels of insulin could be an early sign that girls whose mothers suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome might also be susceptible.

Researchers at the Penn State University College of Medicine say their finding could help determine whether daughters of women suffering from PCOS are at a higher risk of developing the disease, compared with girls whose mothers do not have the disease.

"Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age, and sometimes causes inability to become pregnant," the researchers said, noting symptoms include hairiness due to excessive amounts of male hormones, irregular periods and insulin resistance.

"We found insulin resistance in children who had entered puberty, and whose mothers had PCOS," said Dr. Richard Legro, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and the study's lead author. "We did not find it in the youngest children, which suggests that the disease is triggered by puberty."

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was reported in a recent issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.