Sheng Wu
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
Title: Studying PCOS through the interaction of hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenemia
Biography
Biography: Sheng Wu
Abstract
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the leading cause of female infertility, occurs in 5-10% of reproductive-aged women and is characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo- or annovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Hyperandrogenemia and hyperinsulinemia are believed to play prominent roles in the genesis and progression of PCOS. Previous studies have shown that diet induced obese female mice were infertile and displayed insulin resistance in the energy storage tissues. In contrast, DIO female mice displayed retained insulin sensitivity in the reproductive tissues. It was noted that the DIO female mice exhibited hyperandrogenism; however, the role of high androgen levels in the progression of the reproductive and metabolic pathologies is not well understood and little is known about the precise locations or mechanisms of androgen action. Understanding how and where androgen and or insulin, signaling via the androgen receptor and or insulin receptor, impacts tissues to induce impaired metabolism and fertility in females will have clear health implications.