Polycystic ovaries and levels of gonadotrophins and androgens in recurrent miscarriage: prospective study in 50 women

Abstract

Objective To compare the serum levels of gonadotrophins and androgens, as well as ovarian morphology, in 50 women with a history of recurrent miscarriage and in 20 healthy controls. Design Prospective study on women with a history of at least three consecutive miscarriages in Department I and II of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Central Hospital of Helsinki, Finland. Results The recurrent miscarriage group as a whole exhibited gonadotrophin and androgen levels comparable to those seen in the controls. Ultrasound examination revealed polycystic ovaries (PCO) in 22 patients (44%) and in four control women (20%, P=0.06) but no differences in the levels of gonadotrophins and androgens emerged between the patients with or without PCO. During follow up, 33 (66%) women with a history of recurrent miscarriage who became pregnant; 16 miscarried again (48.5%), whereas 17 (51.5%) succeeded. The presence of PCO did not predict miscarriage, but the patients who miscarried had higher levels of total testosterone, free testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate than RSA women with continuing pregnancies. Conclusions PCO and hyperandrogenism may be associated with repeated miscarriage.