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Obesity and the HPO Axis

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Obesity and Fertility

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Abstract

Obesity is an increasingly prevalent problem in the United States. Obesity, defined as a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 affects nearly 40 % of adults in the United States today. Obesity has several negative effects on fertility and reproductive physiology. Obesity is associated with increased time to fertility and overall decreased fecundity. In addition, obesity seems to lead to changes to the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis. Obesity is associated with changes in luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Levels of ovarian hormones, such as estradiol and progesterone, are altered in obese women compared to normal controls. Levels of leptin and two adipokines, leptin and adiponectin, are affected by BMI. These hormones can modulate both pituitary and ovarian function. Overall, obesity seems to lead to a state of relative hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. This chapter reviews studies that have examined obesity and the different aspects of the HPO axis.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Denver, 12631 East 17th Avenue, Mail Stop B198-3, Academic Office Building 1, Room 4421, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Alex J. Polotsky MD, MSc

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA

    Manuel A. Doblado MA, MD

Authors
  1. Alex J. Polotsky MD, MSc
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  2. Manuel A. Doblado MA, MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alex J. Polotsky MD, MSc .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

    Emily S. Jungheim

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Polotsky, A.J., Doblado, M.A. (2015). Obesity and the HPO Axis. In: Jungheim, E. (eds) Obesity and Fertility. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2611-4_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2611-4_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2610-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2611-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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