Ovarian Hyperandrogenism and Response to Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Analogues in Primary Severe Insulin Resistance

Context Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with polycystic ovaries and hyperandrogenism, but underpinning mechanisms are poorly understood and therapeutic options are limited. Objective To characterize hyperandrogenemia and ovarian pathology in primary severe IR (SIR), using IR of defined molecular etiology to interrogate disease mechanism. To extend evaluation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue therapy in SIR. Methods Retrospective case note review in 2 SIR national referral centers. Female patients with SIR with documented serum total testosterone (TT) concentration. Results Among 185 patients with lipodystrophy, 65 with primary insulin signaling disorders, and 29 with idiopathic SIR, serum TT ranged from undetectable to 1562 ng/dL (54.2 nmol/L; median 40.3 ng/dL [1.40 nmol/L]; n = 279) and free testosterone (FT) from undetectable to 18.0 ng/dL (0.625 nmol/L; median 0.705 ng/dL [0.0244 nmol/L]; n = 233). Higher TT but not FT in the insulin signaling subgroup was attributable to higher serum sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) concentration. Insulin correlated positively with SHBG in the insulin signaling subgroup, but negatively in lipodystrophy. In 8/9 patients with available ovarian tissue, histology was consistent with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In 6/6 patients treated with GnRH analogue therapy, gonadotropin suppression improved hyperandrogenic symptoms and reduced serum TT irrespective of SIR etiology. Conclusion SIR causes severe hyperandrogenemia and PCOS-like ovarian changes whether due to proximal insulin signaling or adipose development defects. A distinct relationship between IR and FT between the groups is mediated by SHBG. GnRH analogues are beneficial in a range of SIR subphenotypes.