2G POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
ethnic differences - ANSWER-testosterone levels vary and appear higher in hispanics
and African Americans with PCOS phenotype than > caucasians and >> Asians
obesity - ANSWER-not part of the diagnosis of PCOS
Persistent rapid frequency of GnRH release - ANSWER-increases LH pulse frequency
and amplitude.
more so than FSH.
an intrinsic abnormality of GnRH possibly due to hypothalmic exposure to increased
androgens in utero, prepubertal, or pubertal.
Leads to an increase in LH secretion and more androgen production by theca cells.
Less FSH production causes granulosa cells to convert less androstenedione to
estrone.
granulosa cells from PCOS - ANSWER-increased response to FSH
why more pre-antral small follicles in PCOS? - ANSWER-hypotheses:
1. higher in utero number.
2. slower rate of atresia.
insulin resistance frequency in PCOS - ANSWER-25-60%
could be fnx of population studies and method used to detect
acanthosis nigricans - ANSWER-raised, velvety, hyperpigmentation of skin.
axilla, neck, intertrigenous areas.
marker of insulin resistance.
associated with PCOS.
tissue selective insulin resistance - ANSWER-IR in muscle, adipose, liver
not in ovary.
insulin increases ovarian androgen production.
insulin receptor in PCOS - ANSWER-no structural abnormality.
no change in receptor number.
no alteration in insulin binding affinity.
postreceptor mechanism.
genetics of PCOS - ANSWER-polygenic, complex disease
candidate gene approach.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
ethnic differences - ANSWER-testosterone levels vary and appear higher in hispanics
and African Americans with PCOS phenotype than > caucasians and >> Asians
obesity - ANSWER-not part of the diagnosis of PCOS
Persistent rapid frequency of GnRH release - ANSWER-increases LH pulse frequency
and amplitude.
more so than FSH.
an intrinsic abnormality of GnRH possibly due to hypothalmic exposure to increased
androgens in utero, prepubertal, or pubertal.
Leads to an increase in LH secretion and more androgen production by theca cells.
Less FSH production causes granulosa cells to convert less androstenedione to
estrone.
granulosa cells from PCOS - ANSWER-increased response to FSH
why more pre-antral small follicles in PCOS? - ANSWER-hypotheses:
1. higher in utero number.
2. slower rate of atresia.
insulin resistance frequency in PCOS - ANSWER-25-60%
could be fnx of population studies and method used to detect
acanthosis nigricans - ANSWER-raised, velvety, hyperpigmentation of skin.
axilla, neck, intertrigenous areas.
marker of insulin resistance.
associated with PCOS.
tissue selective insulin resistance - ANSWER-IR in muscle, adipose, liver
not in ovary.
insulin increases ovarian androgen production.
insulin receptor in PCOS - ANSWER-no structural abnormality.
no change in receptor number.
no alteration in insulin binding affinity.
postreceptor mechanism.
genetics of PCOS - ANSWER-polygenic, complex disease
candidate gene approach.
