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Adiposity and sex hormones across the menstrual cycle: the BioCycle Study
- Source :
- International journal of obesity (2005)
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Objective To investigate the influence of adiposity on patterns of sex hormones across the menstrual cycle among regularly menstruating women. Subjects The BioCycle Study followed 239 healthy women for 1–2 menstrual cycles, with up to 8 visits per cycle timed using fertility monitors. Methods Serum estradiol (E2), progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured at each visit. Adiposity was measured by anthropometry and by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Differences in hormonal patterns by adiposity measures were estimated using nonlinear mixed models, which allow for comparisons in overall mean levels, amplitude (i.e. lowest to highest level within each cycle), and shifts in timing of peaks while adjusting for age, race, energy intake, and physical activity. Results Compared to normal weight women (n=154), obese women (BMI≥30 kg/m2, n=25) averaged lower levels of progesterone (−15%, P=0.003), LH (−17%, P=0.01), FSH (−23%, P=0.001) and higher free E2 (+22%, p=0.001) across the cycle. To lesser magnitudes, overweight women (BMI: 25–30, n=60) also exhibited differences in the same directions for mean levels of free E2, FSH, and LH. Obese women experienced greater changes in amplitude of LH (9%, p=0.002), and FSH (8%, p=0.004), but no differences were observed among overweight women. Higher central adiposity by top compared to bottom tertile of trunk-to-leg fat ratio by DXA was associated with lower total E2 (−14%, p=0.005) and FSH (−15%, p=0.001). Peaks in FSH and LH occurred later (~0.5 day) in the cycle among women with greater central adiposity. Conclusion Greater total and central adiposity were associated with changes in mean hormone levels. The greater amplitudes observed among obese women suggest compensatory mechanisms at work to maintain hormonal homeostasis. Central adiposity may be more important in influencing timing of hormonal peaks than total adiposity.
- Subjects :
- Adult
medicine.medical_specialty
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
media_common.quotation_subject
Medicine (miscellaneous)
body mass index
Luteal phase
Overweight
progesterone
Luteal Phase
sex hormones
Article
menstrual cycle
Follicle-stimulating hormone
Sex hormone-binding globulin
Absorptiometry, Photon
Internal medicine
Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
medicine
Humans
Obesity
Menstrual cycle
media_common
adiposity
body composition
Nutrition and Dietetics
biology
Estradiol
business.industry
Luteinizing Hormone
medicine.disease
Menstruation
Endocrinology
Fertility
biology.protein
Female
medicine.symptom
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
business
Luteinizing hormone
Body mass index
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14765497 and 03070565
- Volume :
- 37
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International journal of obesity (2005)
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....4abc5ac49c373df9773d11a33ea71fa8