Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

To the Editor: Since the cause of the polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown in the majority of cases, this disorder presents fertile ground for theorists. Although there is convincing evidence that abnormalities of adrenal steroidogenesis are present in many women with polycystic ovary syndrome, as Dr. McKenna suggests (March 3 issue),¹ he does not discuss the substantial literature indicating that in the absence of identifiable deficiencies of 21-hydroxylase, 11β-hydroxylase, or 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, such adrenal abnormalities may well be secondary to the altered hormonal milieu of polycystic ovary syndrome. In the early 1960s, in vitro studies documented that androgens can suppress.