Ovarian 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (11βHSD) Activity Is Suppressed in Women With Anovulatory Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Apparent Role for Ovarian Androgens

Abstract

There is decreased inactivation of cortisol in follicles from anovulatory PCOS. This may reflect inhibition of 11βHSD1 by androgens and their 7/11-oxy-metabolites, local concentrations of which are increased in PCOS, and may contribute to the block to folliculogenesis seen in PCOS.