Obese Cycling Women Show Elevated Leptin and a Failure to Slow LH Pulse Frequency in the Mid-Luteal Phase

Abstract

Objective and Design: Leptin has been recently implicated as an important metabolic mediator of the maturation of the GnRH pulse generator that occurs with puberty. Its role in other reproductive events associated with changing GnRH pulse frequency is less clear. To further define the influence of leptin and body weight on the neuroendocrinology of the menstrual cycle, we studied pulsatile LH secretion and leptin concentrations in obese, cycling women. We postulated that in addition to the well-known effect of body weight, leptin concentrations would be higher in the mid-luteal phase (vs follicular phase) of obese women and associated with altered LH pulse frequency when compared to normal-weight controls.