Weight change and ovarian steroid profiles in young women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate possible short-term effects of voluntary weight loss on ovarian steroid profiles in young women, in light of better established long-term effects in older women.


METHODS
We tested for an association of voluntary weight change over the course of a menstrual cycle with salivary E(2) and P profiles in the same menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Students were recruited in a college residence hall, and they provided daily saliva samples to a researcher living nearby.


METHODS
The 65 women who participated were all college students and ranged in age between 18 and 23 years.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Weight was assessed in the first week of the menstrual cycle and first week of the following menstrual cycle. Estradiol and P were measured by radioimmunoassay in daily saliva samples.


RESULTS
We did not detect a suppressive effect of weight loss on the overall level of either hormone. However, we did find evidence for more distinct follicular and luteal E(2) peaks in women who gained weight. Peak luteal P also arrived about 2 days earlier in women who gained weight.


CONCLUSIONS
This finding adds to evidence that short-term response of ovarian function to weight loss in young women is less pronounced than long-term response in older women.
Chapman
Judith Flynn
JF
Department of Anthropology, Harvard University Peabody Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
McIntyre
Matthew H
MH
Lipson
Susan F
SF
Ellison
Peter T
PT
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000378:metabolism; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol