Plasma androgens and sex hormone binding globulin in women with polycystic ovaries diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound.

In order to investigate the androgen and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels in the polycystic ovary, we compared the total testosterone, free testosterone and SHBG levels in three patterns of polycystic ovary diagnosed with transvaginal ultrasonography (18 in group 1, fewer than 5 cysts identified; 16 in group 2, 5-10 cysts; and 27 in group 3, 10 or more). Free testosterone, but not total testosterone, significantly correlated with body mass index. Androgen levels were found to increase and SHBG levels to decrease with increases in the amount of ovarian cysts, and the evaluation of free testosterone was important in diagnosing the polycystic ovary syndrome.