# Developmental Origins of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Very Early Phenotypes During the Mini Puberty of Infancy and Beyond

> **NIH NIH R01** · LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO · 2022 · $583,892

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is among the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive
age and is associated with significant negative reproductive and metabolic outcomes. As PCOS is highly
heritable, daughters of affected women have increased risk, with reported prevalence rates as high as ~70%.
Several studies have established that distinct reproductive and metabolic phenotypes can be observed in PCOS
daughters prior to puberty, suggesting the pathogenesis of PCOS begins at an early developmental stage in
these at-risk girls. Further, studies in animal models of PCOS have demonstrated that exposure to androgens
or anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) during critical developmental periods such as fetal life, the neonatal period, or
puberty can program the offspring to develop the reproductive and/or metabolic phenotypes of PCOS during
reproductive maturity. Prior to puberty, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is quiescent, except during
the “mini puberty of infancy”, a transient developmental stage during the first several months of life. The HPG
axis is active during this time and gonadotropin and sex steroids reach pubertal levels. Our overarching
hypothesis is that mini puberty will unmask an early reproductive phenotype in daughters of women with PCOS,
characterized by alterations in gonadotropin and AMH secretion. Studies during this very early age have been
limited due to the challenges of pursuing invasive testing in this age group. We will employ minimally invasive
methods which will allow us to examine early metabolic and reproductive phenotypes in PCOS daughters without
risk of harm to these young girls. Three Aims will test the hypotheses that: 1) PCOS daughters have a distinct
reproductive phenotype during the mini puberty of infancy characterized by increased gonadotropin and AMH
levels and decreased sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG); 2) PCOS daughters will develop a metabolic
phenotype characterized by increased body fat accrual and decreased insulin sensitivity in the first two years of
life; 3) LH and AMH levels in PCOS daughters during the mini puberty of infancy will be positively associated
with maternal testosterone and AMH levels and negatively associated with maternal insulin sensitivity and
adiponectin levels during the second trimester of gestation. We will enroll 120 women with PCOS and 120 control
women early in their second trimester of pregnancy. We will measure reproductive hormones and markers of
insulin sensitivity and secretion in these women between 24 and 28 weeks gestation. We will collect timed urine
samples for assessment of C-peptide, gonadotropin secretion, and steroid hormone metabolism in their infant
daughters at 1, 2, and 3 months of age. We will obtain measures of adiposity and capillary blood samples for
measurement of SHBG, AMH, and adiponectin at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of age in the infant daughters. If
the Aims are achieved, the impact of this research will...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10422458
- **Project number:** 1R01HD108399-01
- **Recipient organization:** LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura C Torchen
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $583,892
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-06-01 → 2027-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10422458

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10422458, Developmental Origins of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Very Early Phenotypes During the Mini Puberty of Infancy and Beyond (1R01HD108399-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10422458. Licensed CC0.

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