Is there a male phenotype in polycystic ovary syndrome families?

The male phenotype in PCOS is still uncertain. Multiple possible phenotypes have been proposed including such abnormalities in male hair distribution as premature balding and metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance. Problems with phenotyping to date are reviewed and potential new paths for familial phenotyping are discussed. Identifying a male phenotype would increase the sample size for genetic analyses of the causative gene. It may also improve the phenotyping of female family members by identifying familial traits that are gender independent.