Scientific Reports (Jun 2022)

Hair cortisol in polycystic ovary syndrome

  • D. Gonzalez,
  • P. Maidana,
  • C. Ibar,
  • J. Jamardo,
  • D. Jacobsen,
  • A. Fritzler,
  • F. Fortuna,
  • G. Fernandez,
  • E. Lamas-Majek,
  • S. Mallea-Gil,
  • C. Ballarino,
  • C. Onetto,
  • M. Lopez,
  • Viviana Mesch,
  • B. Fabre

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-14061-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 6

Abstract

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Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate adrenal axis hyperactivation measuring hair cortisol levels, and its influence on the relationship among metabolic parameters, inflammation markers and androgens in adult women with PCOS. 44 women (18–34 years) with PCOS diagnosis and a control group of 49 healthy women (19–35 years) were included. In both gropus body mass index (BMI) was calculated and waist circumference (WC) was measured. Hair cortisol, total serum testosterone (TT), serum cortisol, 25 OH vitamin D (25OHD), insulin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), triglycerides (TG), HDL cholesterol (HDL), glucose and leptin were measured. Bioavailable testosterone (bioT) was calculated. Hair cortisol concentration was higher and significantly different in PCOS patients compared to the control group (130 vs 63 pg/mg of hair, p 128 pg/mg of hair), showing a possible effect of HPA axis in these associations.