The effects of a structured 8-week aerobic exercise intervention on anti-Mullerian hormone levels and oxidised LDL-cholesterol in the polycystic ovarian syndrome

Woodward, Amie

Abstract

AIM: PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder of reproductive age women, affecting 4-12%. The condition is associated with reproductive and cardiometabolic complications including obesity, insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism and infertility. Women with PCOS have a two to four-fold higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (and higher oxidised LDL) and higher concentrations of Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) compared to BMI-matched controls. The present study aims to determine whether physical activity reduces AMH and OxLDL levels and therefore improves fertility and cardiometabolic outcomes.

METHODS: Women with PCOS (n=14) and healthy controls (n=11) completed an 8-week exercise programme consisting of 3 x 1-hour treadmill sessions per week at 60% VO2max. Blood samples were analysed for AMH and oxidised LDL concentrations using the ELISA method. Pre collected anthropometric and cardiorespiratory fitness markers were also analysed to determine any significant differences in means before and after the intervention.

RESULTS: Within the longitudinal PCOS study, mixed two-way ANOVAs found no significant differences between AMH and oxidised LDL levels pre and post intervention in PCOS or controls, despite significant improvements in body mass, BMI, WC and VO2max evident in the PCOS group.

CONCLUSION: Results from the PCOS intervention demonstrated no significant improvement of AMH or oxidised LDL levels in women with PCOS or controls following short-term structure moderate intensity exercise training. It did have a significant impact on anthropometric and cardiorespiratory fitness markers. Future research should place importance upon identifying and conducting research on the phenotypes of PCOS separately, particularly in relation to those phenotoypes with hyperandrogenism, as well as conducting exercise interventions over a longer duration.

Citation

Woodward, A. (2016). The effects of a structured 8-week aerobic exercise intervention on anti-Mullerian hormone levels and oxidised LDL-cholesterol in the polycystic ovarian syndrome. (Thesis). University of Hull. Retrieved from https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4218977

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Feb 21, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Sports sciences
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4218977
• Additional Information: Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Jul 1, 2016