Eighty-five regularly cycling women with normal ovaries at laparoscopy, were studied to determine the factors that influence the free androgen index (FAI). It was found that body mass index (BMI), age of the patient and the phase of the menstrual cycle that the blood was collected can all affect the FAI. It is recommended that where possible, specimens should be collected in the early follicular phase to avoid misinterpretation of the result.
References
1.
EdenJACarterGDPlaceJElevated free androgen index is an indicator of polycystic ovaries in oligomenorrhoea without obesity or hirsuties. Ann Clin Biochem (in press).
2.
DowsettMAttreeSLVirdeeSSOestrogen related changes in sex hormone binding globulin levels during normal and gonadotrophin-stimulated menstrual cycles. Clin Endocrinol1985; 23: 303–12.
3.
PlymateSRMooreDEChengCYSex hormone binding globulin changes during the menstrual cycle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab1985; 61(5): 993–6.
4.
SoulesMRCliftonDKSteinerRAGonadotropin- releasing hormone induced changes in testosterone secretion in normal women. Fertil Steril1987; 43(3): 423–7.
5.
CunninghamSKLoughtonTCullitonMThe relationship between sex steroids and sex hormone binding globulin in plasma in physiological and pathological conditions. Ann Clin Biochem1985; 22: 489–97.
6.
SteinIFLeventhalML. Amenorrhoea associated with bilateral polycystic ovaries. Am J Obstet Gynecol1935; 29: 181–91.
7.
CollinsWPMansfieldMDAlladinaNSRadioimmunoassay of plasma testosterone. J Steroid Biochem1972; 3: 333–48.
8.
IqbalMJJohnsonMW. Study of steroid protein binding by a novel ‘two tier’ column employing cibacron blue F3G-A-Sepharose. I-sex hormone binding globulin. J Steroid Biochem1977; 8: 977–83.
9.
YenSSC. The polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Endocrinol1980; 12: 177–208.
10.
BatesGWWhitworthNS. Effect of body weight reduction on plasma androgens in obese infertile women. Fertil Steril1982; 38(4): 406–9.
11.
PasqualiRFabbriRVenturoliSEffect of weight loss and anti-androgen therapy on sex hormone blood levels and insulin resistance in obese patients with polycystic ovaries. Am J Obstet Gynecol1986; 154(1): 139–44.
12.
JaffeRB. The menopause and perimenopause period. In: YenSSCJaffeRB (eds). Reproductive Endocrinology2nd Ed.London: W.B. Saunders & Co, 1986; 406–23.
