title: Adiposity, plasma leptin concentration and reproductive function in active and sedentary females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Circulating leptin has recently been proposed as the peripheral signal indicating the adequacy of nutritional status for reproductive function. To test whether low plasma leptin concentration for a given degree of adiposity is associated with menstrual dysfunction, we measured plasma leptin concentration and body composition in young premenopausal women with normal or abnormal reproductive function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fasting plasma leptin concentration (ELISA), body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) and menstrual status (menstrual history and hormonal profile) were assessed in 34 premenopausal women characterized by different levels of physical activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body fat content and plasma leptin concentration were both reduced in women with impaired reproductive function (amenorrheic < anovulatory < eumenorrheic women). However, after adjusting plasma leptin concentration for percentage body fat, there was no independent association between leptin and menstrual function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Menstrual abnormalities in young premenopausal women seem to occur as a consequence of the linear decline in adiposity and plasma leptin concentration observed in response to inadequate nutritional status. Levels of adiposity below 15% and plasma leptin concentration below 3 ng/ml are more likely to be associated with impaired reproductive function.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Diabetes and Nutrition Center, NIDDK-NIH, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Tataranni
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Monroe
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dueck
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Traub
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nicolson
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Manore
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Matt
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ravussin
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020738:Leptin; D011506:Proteins