Adipose Tissue and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)(EIFFEL)

Adipose Tissue Angiogenesis in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

The purpose of this study is to collect data to help understand why some women develop Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) associated with decreased lower-body fat.

Epigenetics may represent a new regulator mechanism explaining gluteal vs. abdominal fat differences.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female
• Age > 20 and < 40
• Weight stable (change of less than 3 kg in the last 8 weeks)
• BMI < 40 kg/m2 or > 27 kg/m2

Supplemental inclusion criteria for PCOS women:

• NIH criteria - confirmed by subjects' medical records.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Male
• Women who are pregnant or lactating (breast feeding)
• Post-menopausal women
• Women with hysterectomy
• Diagnosed with diabetes, or have a fasting blood sugar > 126 mg/dL.
• Untreated or symptomatic thyroid disease.
• Impaired kidney or liver function, as evidenced by your blood work
• Hypertension/ high blood pressure or are taking blood pressure medications
• Use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.
• History of drug or alcohol abuse (> 3 drinks per day) in the last 5 years, or psychiatric disease prohibiting adherence to study protocol.
• History of cancer within the last 5 years.
• History of organ transplant.
• History of HIV, active Hepatitis B or C, or Tuberculosis.
• History of heart attack/ myocardial infarction.
• Presence of clinically significant abnormalities on EKG.
• Current smokers (smoking within the past 3 months)
• Use of any medications known to influence glucose, fat and/or energy metabolism within the last 3 months (e.g., growth hormone therapy, glucocorticoids [steroids], etc.). Metformin for women with PCOS is allowed.