Sex hormone-binding globulin expression in the endometria of women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the protein and messenger RNA expression of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in endometria from women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design: Case-control study. Setting: Hospital research unit. Patient(s): Thirty-three women with PCOS, and 17 fertile, healthy women of similar age to those with PCOS. Intervention(s): Endometrial and blood samples were obtained from women with PCOS (PCOSEs) and from control women (CEs) during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Main Outcome Measure(s): Expression studies for SHBG (immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction). Hormonal studies for determining sex steroids (T, P, and E2) and SHBG concentration. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by composite insulin sensitivity index (ISIcomposite). Result(s): In stroma, the protein expression of SHBG was lower in PCOSEs than in CEs. Epithelial cells had a similar expression of SHBG protein in both groups. Messenger RNA of variant 548