Background. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents a frequent endocrinopathy among fertile women. Ethiopathogenesis of the syndrome is multifactorial and it is a subject of scientific discussions. Considered is the possibility of intraovarial IGF system disorder affecting maturation of ovarial folicles. The aim of our work was to determine effects of peroral contraceptives with low-androgen progestin on IGF system in PCOS patients and healthy woman controls. Methods and Results. 14 patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria of PCOS and 7 healthy controls were included into the study. All persons were examined before and after six months lasting administration of monophasic estrogen- -progesteron contraceptive therapy with 35 mg of ethinylestradiol per day and 250 mg of low-androgen progestin norgestimate per day. In PCOS patients low increase of basal insulinemia levels occurred (16.3±4.8 vs. 20.8± 4.8 mU.l -1 , p<0.05). IGF-1 serum levels were not influenced (230±70 vs. 235±112 pg.ml -1 , n.s.). IGFBP-1 serum concentration significantly increased (46.3±24.1 vs. 75.6±24.0 pg.ml -1 , p<0.001). Insulinemia in healthy women also slightly increased (15.9±4.0 vs. 18.4±4.0 pg.ml -1 , p<0.05). IGF-1 serum concentration significantly increased (140±65 vs. 241±89 pg.ml -1 , p<0.001). IGFBP-1 was also higher (45.0±19.19 vs. 80.0±15.6 pg.ml -1 , p<0.001). Influence of the hormonal contraception on the followed parameters was estimated using Wilcoxon’s test. While BP-1 increase was significant in both groups, the increase of IGF-1 was significant only in healthy controls. Conclusions. Increased levels of IGFBP-1 were found in both studied groups of women. Women with PCOS had higher serum levels of IGF-1 before the therapy and the treatment did not influence it. Contrary to it, in healthy women the increased value was observed. Explanation of that finding will become the aim of our next study.

        Key words: polycystic ovary syndrome, IGF, insulinemia.