Most cited article - PubMed ID 35623176
An LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of 32 steroids in human plasma
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and idiopathic hirsutism (IH) are androgen excess disorders requiring the determination of classic androgen levels for diagnosis. 11-oxygenated androgens have high androgenic potential, yet their clinical value in those disorders is not clear. Additionally, the role of endocrine disruptors (EDs), particularly in IH, remains understudied. We analyzed 25 steroids and 18 EDs in plasma samples from women with IH, PCOS, and controls using LC-MS/MS. Cytokine levels and metabolic parameters were assessed. Comparisons included non-obese women with PCOS (n = 10), women with IH (n = 12) and controls (n = 20), and non-obese versus obese women with PCOS (n = 9). Higher levels of 11-oxygenated androgens were observed in women with PCOS compared to those with IH, but not controls. Conversely, 11-oxygenated androgen levels were lower in women with IH compared to controls. Cytokine levels did not differ between women with IH and controls. Bisphenol A (BPA) levels were higher in obese women with PCOS compared to non-obese women with PCOS. Bisphenol S occurrence was higher in women with PCOS (90%) compared to controls (65%) and IH (50%). Significant correlations were found between androgens (11-ketotestosterone, androstenedione, testosterone) and insulin and HOMA-IR, as well as between immunomodulatory 7-oxygenated metabolites of DHEA and nine interleukins. Our data confirms that PCOS is a multiendocrine gland disorder. Higher BPA levels in obese women might exacerbate metabolic abnormalities. IH was not confirmed as an inflammatory state, and no differences in BPA levels suggest BPA does not play a role in IH pathogenesis.
- Keywords
- 11-hydroxytestosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, 11-oxygenated androgen, bisphenol A, bisphenol S, endocrine disruptor, idiopathic hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome,
- MeSH
- Androgens * blood metabolism MeSH
- Benzhydryl Compounds blood MeSH
- Cytokines blood metabolism MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Endocrine Disruptors * blood MeSH
- Phenols MeSH
- Hirsutism * blood etiology chemically induced MeSH
- Hyperandrogenism blood MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Obesity blood metabolism MeSH
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome * blood metabolism MeSH
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Androgens * MeSH
- Benzhydryl Compounds MeSH
- bisphenol A MeSH Browser
- Cytokines MeSH
- Endocrine Disruptors * MeSH
- Phenols MeSH
The fast-track process to approve vaccines against COVID-19 has raised questions about their safety, especially in relation to fertility. Over the last 2 years, studies have appeared monitoring female fertility, especially from assisted reproduction centers or in animal experiments. However, studies monitoring healthy populations are still limited. The aim of our study was to monitor the relevant parameters of female fertility (sex and other steroids, LH, FSH, SHBG, Antimüllerian hormone and antral follicle count) before and then 2-4 months after the third dose of vaccination against COVID-19 in a group of 25 healthy fertile woman. In addition, anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-SARS-CoV-2S antibodies were determined. We did not observe significant changes in the measured parameters before and after the third dose of vaccination. By comparing levels of the analytes with antibodies indicating a prior COVID-19 infection, we found that women who had experienced the disease had statistically lower levels of estrone, estradiol, SHBG and 5α-dihydroprogesterone, and conversely, higher levels of androgen active dehydroepiandrosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Our results confirm that vaccination does not affect female fertility, and that what fertile women should be worried about is not vaccination, but rather COVID-19 infection itself.
- Keywords
- AMH, COVID-19, antral follicle count, infection, safety, steroids, vaccination, woman fertility,
- MeSH
- 20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone MeSH
- Androgens MeSH
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone * MeSH
- COVID-19 * prevention & control MeSH
- Dehydroepiandrosterone MeSH
- Dihydrotestosterone MeSH
- Estradiol MeSH
- Estrone MeSH
- Fertility MeSH
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- COVID-19 Vaccines MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
- Names of Substances
- 20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone MeSH
- Androgens MeSH
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone * MeSH
- Dehydroepiandrosterone MeSH
- Dihydrotestosterone MeSH
- Estradiol MeSH
- Estrone MeSH
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone MeSH
- COVID-19 Vaccines MeSH