This study suggests that LHCGR (rs2293275) polymorphism is associated with PCOS and could be used as a relevant molecular marker to identify women with the risk of developing PCOS in our population and may provide an understanding about the etiology of PCOS.

In conclusion, our present results suggest that the TNF-α system might contribute to the pathogenesis of HA, Ob, and IR in PCOS independent of a polymorphism of the TNF-α C850T (rs1799724) in our population.

Background:Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine conditions affecting women of reproductive age with a prevalence of approximately 5-10% worldwide. PCOS can be viewed as a heterogeneous androgen excess disorder with varying degrees of reproductive and metabolic abnormalities, whose diagnosis is based on anthropometric, biochemical and radiological abnormalities. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the anthropometric, biochemical and ultrasonographic characteristics of PCOS in Asian Indians of South India, using the Androgen Excess Society (AES-2006) diagnostic criteria.Objectives:To assess anthropometric, biochemical and ultrasonographic features of PCOS subgroups and controls among South Indian women using the AES-2006 criteria.Materials and Methods:Two hundred and four women clinically diagnosed with PCOS, and 204 healthy women controls aged 17 to 35 years were evaluated. PCOS was diagnosed by clinical hyperandrogenism (HA), irregular menstruation (IM), and polycystic ovary (PCO). PCOS was further categorized into phenotypic subgroups including the IM+HA+PCO (n = 181, 89%), HA+PCO (n = 23, 11%), IM+HA (n = 0), and also into obese PCOS (n = 142, 70%) and lean PCOS (n = 62, 30%) using body mass index (BMI). Anthropometric measurements and biochemical characteristics were compared among the PCOS subgroups.Results:The PCOS subgroups with regular menstrual cycles (HA+PCO), had more luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and high insulin resistance (IR) expressed as the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) score, compared with the IM+HA+PCO subgroups and controls. Similarly, the obese PCOS had high BMI, waist to hip ratio (WHR), fasting glucose, LH, LH/FSH, fasting insulin, HOMA score (IR), and dyslipidemia, compared with lean PCOS and controls. Unilateral polycystic ovary was seen in 32 (15.7%) patients, and bilateral involvement in 172 (84.3%) patients. All the controls showed normal ovaries.Conclusions:Anthropometric, biochemical, and ultrasonographic findings showed significant differences among PCOS subgroups. The PCOS subgroups with regular menstrual cycles (HA+PCO), had high insulin resistance (IR) and gonadotropic hormonal abnormalities, compared with the IM+HA+PCO subgroups and controls.

This present study attempts to measure the energy cost of activities of women from the poor socio-economic group in India. Women in the age group of 18-40 years (n 98) either working for incomes or classified as homemakers were randomly selected. Time disposition studies were conducted by a 24 h observation of their activities on a typical day. Predominant activities were identified from the activity profiles and standardized for posture and duration. The BMR (Douglas bag method) and energy cost of the activities (Kofranyi-Michaelis meter) were measured by indirect calorimetry. The energy consumption during these activities ranged from 2⋅94-12⋅51 kJ/min. The tasks were divided into standard, household, childcare, occupational and other activities. Using the World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization/United Nations University (1985) criteria, attempts were made to categorize the activities into light, moderate and heavy. It was significant that except for walking, the standard activities and occupational work could be classified into the light category (Ͻ 2⋅2 BMR). Most of the household and childcare activities except cooking were classified into the moderate to heavy (2⋅2-Ͼ 2⋅8 BMR). The energy expenditure of activities did not differ significantly between women with different occupations. This present study provides an important database on energy costs of activities for computing energy requirements of women involved in similar activity patterns.Energy expenditure: Energy cost of activities: Activity profile