Obesity and Female Fertility: The Bridging Role of Leptin

Karoutsos P, Karoutsou E an

Abstract

Leptin secretion is a requirement in order for both of energy balance and reproductive capacity to be preserved. That is because leptin plays an important role in appetite regulation and balance of body weight. Leptin binds to leptin receptor in the cells of the hypothalamus. This stimulates an intracrine signalling pathway that drives downregulation of the receptors expression involved in appetite increase. It is clearly set that leptin impairs production of sex steroid hormones in granulosa cells. In addition, alterations noted in follicular fluid from obese women include increased androgen activity and decreased human chorionic gonadotropin levels by other studies. Likewise, adiponectin levels are inversely correlated with levels of insulin, which by inhibiting the production of hepatic sex hormone binding globulin, because increased levels of androgens. On meeting with the fertility problems that arise among these women, scientists must understand the pathophysiology of adipose signalling on reproductive function.