Androgen and insulin response to an oral glucose challenge in hyperandrogenic women

To further investigate the relationship between insulin and androgen secretion in hyperandrogenic women, the authors measured the response of serum insulin and androgen concentrations to an 8 A.M. oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in ten hyperandrogenic (HA) women and seven midfollicular phase control subjects. Significant positive correlations were demonstrated between fasting serum insulin concentration and both androstenedione (Δ⁴A) and testosterone (T) concentrations, which were independent of body mass index (kg/m²). A strong negative correlation was demonstrated between fasting insulin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels within the HA group (r = -0.84, P = 0.003). Significant positive correlations were also demonstrated between the cumulative sum insulin response during OGTT and the percent change from fasting baseline to 3 hours in serum Δ⁴A (r = 0.65, P = 0.006), T (r = 0.51, P = 0.033), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations (r = 0.75, P < 0.001). Our data suggests that abnormalities in insulin secretion are common in HA women and that there is a strong correlation between changes in serum concentrations of insulin and androgens during an OGTT.