Testosterone, androstenedione and dihydrotestosterone concentrations are elevated in female patients with major depression

Weber, Bernhard; Lewicka, Sabina; Deuschle, Michael; Colla, Michael; Heuser, Isabella

doi:10.1016/s0306-4530(00)00023-8

Cited by 117 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Although low, rather than high, circulating testosterone levels are associated with more symptoms of depression, testosterone was higher in these individuals than in women without PCOS (18,19). Importantly, other investigators have reported higher testosterone concentrations in women with severe clinical depression (20), suggesting that testosterone may cause mood disturbances. Furthermore, there seems to be a link between estrogens and symptoms of depression, although no differences were found between serum estradiol levels in women with and without depression (21).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Maternal testosterone exposure increases anxiety-like behavior and impacts the limbic system in the offspring

Richard

Maliqueo

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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During pregnancy, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) display high circulating androgen levels that may affect the fetus and increase the risk of mood disorders in offspring. This study investigated whether maternal androgen excess causes anxiety-like behavior in offspring mimicking anxiety disorders in PCOS. The PCOS phenotype was induced in rats following prenatal androgen (PNA) exposure. PNA offspring displayed anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze, which was reversed by flutamide [androgen receptor (AR) blocker] and tamoxifen [selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator]. Circulating sex steroids did not differ between groups at adult age. The expression of serotonergic and GABAergic genes associated with emotional regulation in the amygdala was consistent with anxiety-like behavior in female, and partly in male PNA offspring. Furthermore, AR expression in amygdala was reduced in female PNA offspring and also in females exposed to testosterone in adult age. To determine whether AR activation in amygdala affects anxiety-like behavior, female rats were given testosterone microinjections into amygdala, which resulted in anxiety-like behavior. Together, these data describe the anxiety-like behavior in PNA offspring and adult females with androgen excess, an impact that seems to occur during fetal life, and is mediated via AR in amygdala, together with changes in ERα, serotonergic, and GABAergic genes in amygdala and hippocampus. The anxiety-like behavior following testosterone microinjections into amygdala demonstrates a key role for AR activation in this brain area. These results suggest that maternal androgen excess may underpin the risk of developing anxiety disorders in daughters and sons of PCOS mothers. maternal androgen excess | anxiety | behavior | polycystic ovary syndrome | amygdala P olycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by excessive androgen secretion and abnormal insulin activity and affects up to 17% of women worldwide (1). Women with PCOS are at an increased risk of developing symptoms of anxiety and depression. In fact, over 60% of women with PCOS are diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder, such as depression, anxiety, or an eating disorder (2). Suicide attempts have also been shown to be seven times more common in women with PCOS than in healthy controls (3). The mechanisms underlying the development of PCOS are poorly understood. Although a genetic basis for PCOS has been suggested, the intrauterine milieu might also affect the reproductive/endocrine function of a child born to a PCOS mother in a manner that is independent of genetic inheritance or sex. It is also known that daughters of mothers with PCOS are at increased risk of developing the syndrome and that sons tend to suffer from obesity and insulin resistance (4). Thus, it has been proposed that PCOS originates during fetal development and that this might be, in part, a result of maternal androgen excess (5).Maternal testosterone levels in humans have been shown to affect br...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Maternal testosterone exposure increases anxiety-like behavior and impacts the limbic system in the offspring

Richard

Maliqueo

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…There are to date only sparse and discrepant data about possible pathogenetical links between PCOS and depression. Some [85,86], but not all [81] studies found an association between hyperandrogenemia and symptoms of depression. Insulin resistance could be another factor connected with both depression and PCOS [87,88].…”

Section: Depression Health-related Quality Of Life and Polycystic Ovmentioning

confidence: 99%

Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Vrbíková¹,

Hainer²

2009

Obes Facts

164

102

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“…17 Other authors have attributed psychological morbidity to disturbed androgen metabolism. 12,31,32 The data on psychological disorders and emotional function in women with PCOS, especially in different societies such as our society is inconclusive. There is still considerable controversy and continuing debate on the social and psychological determinants of PCOS in the literature.…”

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial Factors Associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Case Control Study

Sayyah-Melli¹,

Alizadeh²,

Pourafkary³

et al. 2015

J Caring Sci

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Article Type: Original ArticleIntroduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder in women of reproductive age. Psychosocial factors can play a role in PCOS. Methods: To determine the psychosocial factors associated with PCOS in a case control study, 742 PCOS cases were compared to 798 women without PCOS for psychiatric disorders and social conditions. The data were collected using a validated questionnaire of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders. Patient Health Questionnaire (DSM-IV) was used to diagnose major psychopathological disorders and other depressive and anxiety syndromes. The suspected psychopathology was evaluated by a clinical psychiatrist. Results: There was a significant difference between cases and controls in education level (71.8% vs. 80.4%; (P<0.001), and employment status (60% vs. 53%; P=0.01) (respectively). Chronic anxiety (35.7% vs. 26.8%; P<0.001), depression (18.9% vs. 7.9 %; P<0.001), anxiety disorders (7.7% vs. 3.3%; P<0.001), and personality disorders (2.9% vs. 1.7%; P=0.01), were higher in the PCOS patients compared controls, respectively. Conclusion:The results showed that chronic anxiety and depression were the most pscycologic pattern in PCO patients. Lower educational level and unemployment were higher in the cases than controls.

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Testosterone, androstenedione and dihydrotestosterone concentrations are elevated in female patients with major depression

Cited by 117 publications

References 13 publications

Maternal testosterone exposure increases anxiety-like behavior and impacts the limbic system in the offspring

Maternal testosterone exposure increases anxiety-like behavior and impacts the limbic system in the offspring

Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Psychosocial Factors Associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Case Control Study

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