Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

PCOS

Animal models for PCOS — not the real thing

Although animal models have been used to understand the aetiologies of polycystic ovary syndrome, these models are possibly not the best tool to study the underlying causes of this syndrome, as the disorder is uniquely human and does not occur naturally in animals. A recent study illustrates this point.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Relevant articles

Open Access articles citing this article.

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Azziz, R. et al. The polycystic ovary syndrome. Nat. Rev. Dis. Primers 2, 16057 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Abbott, D. H., Dumesic, D. A., Levine, J. E., Dunaif, A. & Padmanabhan, V. in Androgen Excess Disorders in Women 2nd edn Ch. 23 (eds Azziz, R., Nestler, J. E. & Dewailly, D.) 259–272 (Humana Press, 2006).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Caldwell, A. S. et al. Neuroendocrine androgen action is a key extraovarian mediator in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 114, E3334–E3343 (2017).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Caldwell, A. S. et al. Characterization of reproductive, metabolic, and endocrine features of polycystic ovary syndrome in female hyperandrogenic mouse models. Endocrinology 155, 3146–3159 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. De Leo, V., Lanzetta, D., D'Antona, D., la Marca, A. & Morgante, G. Hormonal effects of flutamide in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 83, 99–102 (1998).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Paradisi, R., Fabbri, R., Battaglia, C. & Venturoli, S. Ovulatory effects of flutamide in the polycystic ovary syndrome. Gynecol. Endocrinol. 29, 391–395 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Masahashi, T. et al. Spironolactone therapy for hyperandrogenic anovulatory women — clinical and endocrinological study. Nihon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi 38, 95–101 (1986).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Siegberg, R., Ylöstalo, P., Laatikainen, T., Pelkonen, R. & Stenman, U. H. Endocrine and clinical effects of spironolactone in female hyperandrogenism. Arch. Gynecol. 240, 67–73 (1987).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Ibáñez, L. et al. Additive effects of insulin-sensitizing and anti-androgen treatment in young, nonobese women with hyperinsulinism, hyperandrogenism, dyslipidemia, and anovulation. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 87, 2870–2874 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Eagleson, C. A. et al. Polycystic ovarian syndrome: evidence that flutamide restores sensitivity of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator to inhibition by estradiol and progesterone. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 85, 4047–4052 (2000).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ricardo Azziz.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

R.A. serves as a consultant for Ansh Labs, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Fractyl, Kindex Pharmaceuticals and Longitude Capital, and as an adviser to GlobalPET Imaging.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Azziz, R. Animal models for PCOS — not the real thing. Nat Rev Endocrinol 13, 382–384 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2017.57

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2017.57

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing