Relationships among Serum Testosterone Levels, Body Fat and Muscle Mass Distribution in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Abstract

Abstract.We investigated the relationships among serum testosterone levels, body fat and muscle mass distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Subjects were 67 women with PCOS (mean age±standard deviation, 28.8±6.6 years). Baseline characteristics included age and height. Trunk-leg fat ratio and trunk-leg muscle ratio were assessed with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.Serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were measured with radioimmunoassays. Relationships among serum testosterone levels, body fat and muscle mass distribution were investigated using Pearson and partial correlation tests. Serum testosterone levels were positively correlated with trunk-leg fat ratio (r=0.398, P<0.01), but were inversely correlated with trunk-leg muscle ratio (r= -0.332, P<0.05).Trunk-leg muscle ratio was inversely correlated with trunk-leg fat ratio (r= -0.360, P<0.01).Serum testosterone levels were still correlated with trunk-leg fat ratio (r=0.500, P<0.001) and trunk-leg muscle ratio (r= -0.286, P <0.05), after adjusting for age and height. Trunk-leg fat ratio was still correlated with trunk-leg muscle ratio, after adjusting for age, height, and serum testosterone levels. Based on these results, we concluded that higher serum testosterone levels may contribute to the upper body fat distribution and peripheral muscle mass distribution.In addition, peripheral muscle mass distribution may also contribute to the upper body fat distribution.

Consensus on women’s health aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): the Amsterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored 3rd PCOS Consensus Workshop Group

“…Several studies found that greater obesity in the central region as determined by waist circumference, visceral fat, or the central/peripheral fat ratio was associated with lower SHBG levels (171,173,189). Some studies found that a higher trunk/leg fat ratio or upper/lower region fat ratio is associated with higher levels of T (181,190). The effect of fat distribution on hirsutism is unclear.…”

Determinants of body fat distribution in humans may provide insight about obesity-related health risks

“…Indeed, treatment with dihydrotestosterone -the major active metabolite of T -suppressed LPL activity and inhibited adipogenesis in adipocyte cultures derived from abdominal VAT and gluteofemoral SCAT depots of both men and women (albeit to a greater extent in men) (80). It is important to state that T regulates adiposity in women as well, as evidenced by studies of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in which they present elevated levels of T and tend to accumulate more fat in the VAT (82).…”

Lean Muscle Mass in Classic or Ovulatory PCOS: Association with Central Obesity and Insulin Resistance

“…Testosterone levels and FAI were higher in the classic PCOS phenotype, although no signifi cant association was found between androgens and lean mass. Even though androgens are known to increase muscle mass and strength [ 40 ] and contribute to peripheral muscle mass distribution [ 15 ] , these steroids seem to have a limited eff ect on lean muscle mass in PCOS women [ 17 ] . In turn, while it is known that exercise enhances the amount and strength of lean mass [ 41 , 42 ] , the increase in lean mass seen in our classic PCOS group cannot be explained by the level of physical activity, since this variable was controlled through the assessment of habitual physical activity.…”