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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2021 Jan 1.
Published in final edited form as: Reproduction. 2020 Jan;159(1):R1–R13. doi: 10.1530/REP-19-0197

Figure 2. Hypothetical model of androgen actions on subcutaneous abdominal adipogenesis in normal-weight PCOS women.

Figure 2.

In this model, androgen 1) inhibits preadipocyte differentiation to mature adipocytes, 2) blocks catecholamine-induced lipolysis and 3) impairs insulin-inhibition of lipolysis. Exaggerated adipose stem cell (ASC) development to adipocytes also occurs via androgen-independent mechanisms. Theoretically, exaggerated ASC lipid accumulation within a hyperandrogenic environment could predispose PCOS women to lipotoxicity. A: Commitment; B: Differentiation/lipid accumulation; C: Lipolysis