Relationship of androgens to muscle size and bone mineral density in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of androgens to regional muscle size and bone mineral density (BMD) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Seventy-one amenorrheic and right-side dominant women with PCOS (mean age ± standard deviation 28.1 ± 6.7 years) were enrolled. Baseline characteristics included age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Regional BMD and lean mass were measured by whole-body scanning with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Serum levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and androstenedione were measured by radioimmunoassay. Correlations between regional BMD and variables were investigated using a Pearson correlation test and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Serum testosterone levels correlated significantly with lean mass of the left arm, right arm, trunk, left leg, and right leg ( r = .34, P r = .50, P r = .30, P r = .68, P r = .34, P r = .45, P CONCLUSION: Testosterone influences regional BMD through increasing regional muscle mass in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.