The androgen theory of autism proposes that autism spectrum conditions (ASC) are in part due to elevated fetal testosterone (FT) levels, which are positively correlated with a number of autistic traits and inversely correlated with social development and empathy. Compared to controls, significantly more women with ASC reported (a) hirsutism, (b) bisexuality or asexuality, (c) irregular menstrual cycle, (d) dysmenorrhea, (e) polycystic ovary syndrome, (f) severe acne, (g) epilepsy, (h) tomboyism, and (i) family history of ovarian, uterine, and prostate cancers, tumors, or growths. Compared to controls, significantly more mothers of ASC children reported (a) severe acne, (b) breast and uterine cancers, tumors, or growths, and (c) family history of ovarian and uterine cancers, tumors, or growths. These results suggest current hormone abnormalities in women with ASC and their mothers. Direct investigations of serum testosterone levels and genetic susceptibility to high testosterone production or sensitivity in women with ASC would illuminate the origin of these conditions. The relationship between FT and current testosterone levels also needs to be clarified. The present results may be relevant to understanding the increased male risk to developing autism.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17462645
The PCOS group had higher levels of testosterone, triglycerides, homocysteine, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance when compared with controls.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19108830
Insulin Resistance and Miscarriage
- Increased testosterone, estrogen (particularly in overweight women), androstenedione, and DHEAS are found in PCOS.
http://www.isletsofhope.com/diabetes/print/polycystic_ovarian_syndrome_pcos_1.html
- Decreased SHBG and progesterone are found in PCOS.
- In PCOS, the ratio of LH to FSH is greater than 1:1. In the ovaries, LH acts on theca and interstitial cells to produce progestins and androgens, and FSH acts on granulosa cells to stimulate aromatization of these precursor steroids to estrogen.
- There is an increased production rate of cortisol and androgens as measured in vivo in lean PCOS women.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14671189
- There is a marked increase in 5alphaR metabolism of both C19 and C21 steroids in younger women with PCOS. (5alphaR converts testosterone into the more potent dihydrotestosterone)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10714750
- PCOS affects up to 10% of all American women.
- 91% of those with PCOS also had breast pathology (fibrocystic breasts).
- PCOS decreases levels of inhibin A.
- PCOS women have an impaired processing of alpha-inhibin precursor proteins.
-IGFBP-4 is high in PCOS, which decreases the bioavailability of IGF-1.