Androgen levels in women with various forms of ovarian dysfunction: associations with cardiometabolic features

Abstract

N.M.P.D. is supported by the Dutch Heart Foundation (grant number 2013T083). L.J. and O.H.F. work in ErasmusAGE, a center for aging research across the life course, funded by Nestlé Nutrition (Nestec Ltd), Metagenics Inc. and AXA. M.K. is supported by the AXA Research Fund. Nestlé Nutrition (Nestec Ltd), Metagenics Inc. and AXA had no role in the design and conduct of the study; the collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data; or the preparation, review or approval of the manuscript. J.S.E.L. has received fees and grant support from the following companies (in alphabetical order): Ferring, Merck-Serono, Merck Sharpe & Dome, Organon, Schering Plough and Serono. In the last 5 years, B.C.J.M.F. has received fees and grant support from the following companies (in alphabetic order); Actavis, COGI, Euroscreen, Ferring, Finox, Genovum, Gedeon-Richter, Merck-Serono, OvaScience, Pantharei Bioscience, PregLem, Roche, Uteron and Watson laboratories. With regard to potential conflicts of interest, there is nothing further to disclose.

Cardiovascular Risk in Women With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Compared to Premenopausal Women at Middle Age

“…Both extremes in high and low androgen levels have been correlated to an increased risk of coronary events in older women (41). POI is associated with decreased circulating androgen levels, which was reaffirmed in the current study (15,45). Decreased androgen levels may increase CVD risk in postmenopausal women, due to associations with dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and CVD events (16,41,46).…”

“…Atherogenic lipid profile changes have been reported in women with POI which could attribute to this increased CVD risk (13). Moreover, aside from estrogen deficiency, POI is often accompanied by decreased circulating androgen concentrations (14,15). Decreased endogenous androgens may further impair CVD risk in postmenopausal women, due its association with increased dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis (16,17).…”

Polycystic ovary syndrome and the risk of cardiometabolic complications in longitudinal studies

“…The increased androgen concentration was described as well as a protective factor in progression to CHD 142 and as a risk factor of adverse metabolic profile and CVD. [143][144][145] On the other hand, decreased levels of testosterone seem to be associated with carotid and coronary atherosclerosis. [146][147][148][149][150][151] It appears that the most convincing statement is an existence of a ushaped association between concentration of androgens and increased CVD risk at both extremes.…”

Novel mechanisms for DHEA action

“…Thus, in PCOS patients with elevated DHEA-S and testosterone compared with agematched control group (Daan et al 2015, Moran et al 2015, Pinola et al 2015, the novel mechanisms of DHEA action may be more pronounced.…”