Insulin Action and Secretion in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common, heterogeneous disorder comprised of hyperandrogenism and anovulation. Although insulin action and secretion are neither necessary nor sufficient for the definition of PCOS, they are both disordered in this setting. Numerous studies have described hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance in both adults and adolescents. Those findings led to more experiments designed to further define the mechanism on a tissue, cellular, and even molecular level. In a time of obesity epidemic, the metabolic consequences of PCOS cannot be overlooked. The importance of complications and associations such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease (FLD), and early cardiovascular dysfunction underscores the need for appropriate treatment.