Blood Vessel Function in Adolescents and Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Specifically the study will enroll: 15 treatment-naïve adolescents with PCOS; 15 age- and BMI Z-score matched adolescent controls without PCOS; 15 adult treatment-naïve women with PCOS; and 15 age- and BMI-matched adult women without PCOS. Subject race/ethnicity is not a specific inclusion/exclusion criterion for this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• PCOS as defined by NIH/NICHD criteria: 1) oligo- or amenorrhea (≤8 menstrual periods annually, persisting 2 years post menarche); 2) biochemical hyperandrogenism(HA), i.e.,elevated total or free testosterone concentration and/or clinical evidence of HA (defined as the presence of hirsutism); and 3) exclusion of secondary causes of ovulatory dysfunction and HA (including hyperprolactinemia, thyroid dysfunction, non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, Cushing syndrome, androgen secreting neoplasms, and androgenic/anabolic drug use).
• Inclusion criteria for adolescent and adult control subjects will include 1) normal menstrual periods (defined as regular cycles between 22-36 days in length); 2) normal serum androgens (total/free testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate [DHEA-S]); and 3) absence of clinical evidence of hyperandrogenism. Additionally, adolescent controls must be 2 years post menarche.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diabetes mellitus
• Underlying endocrine, neurologic, and/or genetic syndromes leading to obesity
• Congenital heart disease or abnormal resting ECG
• Renal or hepatic disease
• History of rheumatologic disorders or malignancy
• Use of medications or dietary supplements known to affect insulin sensitivity (i.e. metformin, corticosteroids, and oral contraceptive pills), blood pressure, or cholesterol within 3 months of study participation
• Investigation drug use within 3 months of study participation
• Pregnancy
• Current tobacco use