Does postprandial hypersinsulinemia contribute to hyperandrogenism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome?

Twenty patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome and with or without insulin resistance, and 20 healthy women (controls) underwent an oral glucose tolerance test, which resulted in a short duration but significant increase of serum insulin levels. Serum testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were estimated before and 180 minutes after administration of 75 gr. dextrose. Our results, three hours after dextrose administration, showed that: (1) serum testosterone levels decreased significantly, (2) serum androstenedione levels decreased but not significantly, and (3) serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were not altered. The observation of decreased ovarian androgen levels after induced hyperinsulinemia is very interesting, the explanation, however, is quite difficult. This unexpected ovarian androgen response needs further investigation.