Follistatin concentrations in women from Kerala with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder in which there are numerous benign cysts that form on ovaries under a thick white covering that is one of the causes of infertility. Follistatin is a single chain glycosylated polypeptide that can bind to activin. When follistatin binds to activin it suppresses the role of activin to stimulate the secretion of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). FSH plays an important role in folliculogenesis and decrease in FSH level may arrest follicular development. Objective: The aim is this study was to determine the circulating follistatin concentrations in PCOS patients compared to regularly menstruating women. Materials and Methods: The PCOS study group consisted of 88 oligo/amenorrheic women with PCOS. The control group consisted of 60 healthy women with regular menstrual cycles (26–30 days) and with no signs of hyperandrogenism. Body mass index (BMI, Kg/m 2) was calculated. Serum follistatin, Serum Leutenizing hormon