An observational study in Puberty and Hyperandrogenism, sponsored by University of Virginia. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to female participants aged 7 Years to 17 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-11-02.
Sponsored by University of Virginia · Observational
Hormones are substances that are made by the body and are sent directly out into the bloodstream to increase or decrease the function of certain organs, glands, or other hormones. Testosterone is a hormone found in the blood of all girls, but some girls have too much testosterone in their blood. Too much testosterone in the blood can possibly lead to a problem called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). People with PCOS have abnormal menstrual periods, excess facial and body hair, and too much testosterone in their blood. On the other hand, some girls with too much testosterone in their blood do not develop PCOS. We do not know why some of these girls develop PCOS and why some do not. The purpose of this research study is to find out whether too much testosterone can cause problems with other hormones that can lead to the development of PCOS. This study may help us understand more about the causes of PCOS.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder marked by irregular ovulation and hyperandrogenism. Hyperandrogenemia during adolescence can be a forerunner of adult PCOS. However, the progression of hormonal abnormalities leading to PCOS are unclear. We will examine hormonal profiles (e.g., LH, FSH, progesterone, testosterone, estradiol) during pubertal maturation in adolescent girls with and without elevated plasma androgens. The working hypothesis is that, in pubertal girls without hyperandrogenemia, overnight rises of progesterone are associated with a reduction of LH frequency during the waking morning hours. However, in pubertal girls with hyperandrogenemia, LH frequency will be higher than normal during both the day and night, despite similar or higher progesterone levels. The studies will involve frequent blood sampling over 18 hours. We will assess differences in hormone parameters between time blocks (1900-2300 h, 2300-0300 h, 0300-0700 h, 0700-1100 h) in individuals to evaluate day-night changes. We will compare such changes between those with hyperandrogenemia and those without hyperandrogenemia.
81 studies on the registry are indexed under Hyperandrogenism; 22 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 75 is below the median of 135 across 26 observational studies indexed under Hyperandrogenism.
Browse Hyperandrogenism studies →University of Virginia is the lead sponsor of 675 studies on the registry; 138 are open to participants now.
Of its 61 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 42 (69%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Adolescent females
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Hemoglobin (Hb)
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Bilirubin
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ULN (upper limit of normal)
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Peripubertal girls with hyperandrogenemia
Other: Blood sampling
Peripubertal girls without hyperandrogenemia
Other: Blood sampling
Blood sampling for later hormone measurements
Difference in mean LH frequency when awake (19:00-23:00 and 07:00-11:00) and when asleep (23:00-07:00) in girls with and without hyperandrogenemia
Time frame: Time frame for the study will be 18 hours (Sampling begins at 1800 hrs and proceeds through 1200 hours the following day).
Daytime (awake) and nighttime (sleep) differences in hormones (LH, FSH, T, E2, P, and cortisol) in girls with and without hyperandrogenemia
Time frame: Time frame for the study will be 18 hours (Sampling begins at 1800 hrs and proceeds through 1200 hours the following day).
Plan to share: No — We do not have current plans to share IPD
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Jul 2008 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Feb 2025, 199 months after the start.
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