Skip to main content

Metabolism, Obesity, Thinness, and Reproduction

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Menstrual Cycle Related Disorders

Part of the book series: ISGE Series ((ISGE))

  • 942 Accesses

Abstract

The physiology of reproduction is ruled by neuroendocrine signals that originate in many regions of the brain. Additionally, such signals are greatly modulated or affected by relevant signals derived from the periphery of our body. All such peripheral signals are concerned with specific sensorial and metabolic information that might positively or negatively modulate specific responses from the brain and from the affective neuroendocrine pathways of the endocrine glands. Such interconnections are at the basis of the modulation, which might block or restart reproductive functions by means of hypothalamus-pituitary control of ovarian function in humans either by body weight loss, as from anorexia nervosa, or by excessive body mass, as in obesity. The understanding of these mechanisms is of tremendous value to clinicians who face and resolve reproductive impairment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Schally A, Arimura A, Kastin A, Matsuo H, Baba Y, Redding T, Nair R, Debeljuk L, White W. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone: one polypeptide regulates secretion of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones. Science. 1971;173:1036–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Lebrethon M-C, Aganina A, Fournier M, Gerard A, Parent A-S, Bourguignon J-P. Effects of in vivo and in vitro administration of ghrelin, leptin and neuropeptide mediators on pulsatile gonadotrophin-releasing hormone secretion from male rat hypothalamus before and after puberty. J Neuroendocrinol. 2007;19:181–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Gottsch M, Cunningham M, Smith J, Popa S, Acohido B, Crowley W, Seminara S, Clifton D, Steiner R. A role for kisspeptins in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion in the mouse. Endocrinology. 2004;145:4073–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Zhu J, Xu XH, Knight GE, He C, Burnstock G, Xiang Z. A subpopulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the adult mouse forebrain is γ-5 aminobutyric acidergic. J Neurosci Res. 2015;93:1611–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Tsutsui K, Saigoh E, Ukena K, Teranishi H, Fujisawa Y, Kikuchi M, Ishii S, Sharp PJ. A novel avian hypothalamic peptide inhibiting gonadotropin release. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2000;275:661–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Fourman LT, Fazeli PK. Neuroendocrine causes of amenorrhea: an update. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100:812–24.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Vigersky RA, Andersen AE, Thompson RH, Lauriaux DL. Hypothalamic dysfunction in secondary amenorrhea associated with simple weight loss. N Engl J Med. 1977;297:1141–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Berga SL, Mortola SF, Girton L, Suh B, Laughlin G, Pham P, Yen SSC. Neuroendocrine aberrations in women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1989;68:301–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Cameron JL, Helmreich DL, Schreihofer DA. Modulation of reproductive hormone secretion by nutritional intake: stress signals versus metabolic signals. Hum Reprod. 1993;8:162–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Ringstrom SJ, Suter D, D’Agostino J, Hoestler JP, Scwartz NB. Effects of glucocorticoids on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In: Genazzani AR, Nappi G, Petraglia F, Martignoni E, editors. Stress and related disorders from adaptation to dysfunction. Carnforth: Parthenon; 1991. p. 297–305.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Misra M, Klibanski A. Endocrine consequences of anorexia nervosa. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2014;2(7):581–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(13)70180-3.. Epub 2014 Apr 2

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Frisch RE, Revelle R. Height and weight at menarche and a hypothesis of critical body weights and adolescent events. Science. 1970;169:397–9. [PubMed: 5450378]

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Frisch RE, McArthur JW. Menstrual cycles: fatness as a determinant of minimum weight for height necessary for their maintenance or onset. Science. 1974;185:949–51. [PubMed: 4469672]

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ahima RS, Saper CB, Flier JS, et al. Leptin regulation of neuroendocrine systems. Front Neuroendocrinol. 2000;21:263–307.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Considine RV, Sinha MK, Heiman ML, et al. Serum immunoreactive-leptin concentrations in normal-weight and obese humans. N Engl J Med. 1996;334:292–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Woods SC, D’Alessio DA. Central control of body weight and appetite. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93(11 suppl 1):S37–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Zigman JM, Elmquist JK. Minireview: From anorexia to obesity—the yin and yang of body weight control. Endocrinology. 2003;144:3749–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Lanfranco F, Bonelli L, Baldi M, et al. Acylated ghrelin inhibits spontaneous luteinizing hormone pulsatility and responsiveness to naloxone but not that to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in young men: evidence for a central inhibitory action of ghrelin on the gonadal axis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93:3633–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Pralong FP. Insulin and NPY pathways and the control of GnRH function and puberty onset. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2010;324:82–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Moret M, Stettler R, Rodieux F, et al. Insulin modulation of luteinizing hormone secretion in normal female volunteers and lean polycystic ovary syndrome patients. Neuroendocrinology. 2009;89:131–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Barr VA, Malide D, Zarnowski MJ, et al. Insulin stimulates both leptin secretion and production by rat white adipose tissue. Endocrinology. 1997;138:4463–72.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Roa J, Tena-Sempere M. Connecting metabolism and reproduction: roles of central energy sensors and key molecular mediators. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2014;397:4–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Wolfe A, Divall S, Wu S. The regulation of reproductive neuroendocrine function by insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Front Neuroendocrinol. 2014;35:558–72.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Luna AM, Wilson DM, Wibbelsman CJ, et al. Somatomedins in adolescence: a cross-sectional study of the effect of puberty on plasma insulin-like growth factor I and II levels. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1983;57:268–71.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Gómez-Pinilla F. Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008;9(7):568–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Genazzani AD, Gamba O, Petraglia F. Estrogen replacement therapy modulates spontaneous GH secretion but does not affect GH-RH-induced GH response and low T3 syndrome in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea associated to weight-loss. J Endocrinol Invest. 1998;21:353–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Genazzani AD, Petraglia F, Fabbri G, Monzani A, Montanini V, Genazzani AR. Evidence of luteinizing hormone secretion in hypothalamic amenorrhea associated with weight loss. Fertil Steril. 1990;54:222–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. World Health Organization. Obesity and overweight fact sheet 2016. Available at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/. Last accessed March 6, 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Knight M, Kurinczuk JJ, Spark P, Brocklehurst P. Extreme obesity in pregnancy in the United Kingdom. Obstet Gynecol. 2010;115:989–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Rachon D, Teede H. Ovarian function and obesity—interrelationship, impact on women’s reproductive lifespan and treatment options. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2010;316:172–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Jungheim ES, Moley KH. Current knowledge of obesity’s effects in the pre- and periconceptional periods and avenues for future research. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010;203:525–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Pasquali R. Obesity and androgens: facts and perspectives. Fertil Steril. 2006;85:1319–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Moran LJ, Norman RJ, Teede HJ. Metabolic risk in PCOS: phenotype and adiposity impact. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2015;26:136–43.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Ibanez L, et al. Precocious pubarche, hyperinsulinism, and ovarian hyperandrogenism in girls: relation to reduced fetal growth. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998;83:3558–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Morrison JL, Duffield JA, Muhlhausler BS, Gentili S, McMillen IC. Fetal growth restriction, catch-up growth and the early origins of insulin resistance and visceral obesity. Pediatr Nephrol. 2010;25(4):669–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Zimmet P, Alberti G, Kaufman F, Tajima N, Silink M, Arslanian S, Wong G, Bennett P, Shaw J, Caprio S, International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention of Diabetes. The metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents. Lancet. 2007;369(9579):2059–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Hannon TS, Gungor N. Arslanian SA. Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents: a review for the primary care provider. Pediatr Ann. 2006;35(12):880–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Franks S. Polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents. Int J Obes (Lond). 2008;32(7):1035–41.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Franks S, Berga SL. Does PCOS have developmental origins? Fertil Steril. 2012;97(1):2–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Chittenden BG, Fullerton G, Maheshwari A, Bhattacharya S. Polycystic ovary syndrome and the risk of gynaecological cancer: a systematic review. Reprod Biomed Online. 2009;19:398–405.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Barbieri RL. The role of adipose tissue and hyperinsulinemia in the development of hyperandrogenism in women. In: Frisch RE, editor. Adipose tissue and reproduction. Basel: Karger; 2000. p. 42–57.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Conway GS, Jacobs HS, Holly JM, Wass JA. Effects of LH, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I and insulin-like growth factor small binding protein I in the polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1990;33:593–603.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Behboudi-Gandevani S, Ramezani Tehrani F, Rostami Dovom M, Farahmand M, Bahri Khomami M, Noroozzadeh M, Kabir A, Azizi F. Insulin resistance in obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2016;32(5):343–5353.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Salley KE, Wickham EP, Cheang KI, Essah PA, Karjane NW, Nestler JE. Glucose intolerance in polycystic ovary syndrome: a position statement of the Androgen Excess Society. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92(12):4546–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Genazzani AD. Inositol as putative integrative treatment for PCOS. Reprod Biomed Online. 2016;33:770–80.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Genazzani AD, Shefer K, Della Casa D, Prati A, Napolitano A, Manzo A, Despini G, Simoncini T. Modulatory effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) administration on insulin sensitivity in obese PCOS patients. J Endocrinol Invest. 2018;41(5):583–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Prati, A., Napolitano, A., Despini, G., Manzo, A., Caroli, M., Genazzani, A.D. (2019). Metabolism, Obesity, Thinness, and Reproduction. In: Berga, S., Genazzani, A., Naftolin, F., Petraglia, F. (eds) Menstrual Cycle Related Disorders. ISGE Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14358-9_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14358-9_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-14357-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-14358-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics