title: MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Metabolic syndrome through the female life cycle.
abstract: The normal function of the female reproductive system is closely linked to energy homeostasis with the ultimate scope of fertility and human race perpetuation through the centuries. During a woman's lifetime there are normal events such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause which are related to alterations in energy homeostasis and gonadal steroids levels followed by increase of body fat and insulin resistance, important components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Pathological conditions such as premature adrenarche, polycystic ovary syndrome and gestational diabetes also present with shifts in gonadal steroid levels and reduced insulin sensitivity. The aim of this review is to discuss these conditions, both normal and pathological, analyzing the changes or abnormalities in ovarian function that coexist with metabolic abnormalities which resemble MetS in relationship with environmental, genetic and epigenetic factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and DiabetesHellenic Red Cross Hospital, Athanasaki 1, 11526 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Clinical Medicine and Surgery'Federico II' University of Naples, Naples, ItalyDepartment of Sports Science and Wellness'Parthenope' University of Naples, Naples, ItalyFertility Techniques SSDUniversity Hospital 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d' Aragona', Salerno, ItalyUnit of Reproductive EndocrinologyFirst Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece mahi_vr@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Andromachi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vryonidou
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and DiabetesHellenic Red Cross Hospital, Athanasaki 1, 11526 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Clinical Medicine and Surgery'Federico II' University of Naples, Naples, ItalyDepartment of Sports Science and Wellness'Parthenope' University of Naples, Naples, ItalyFertility Techniques SSDUniversity Hospital 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d' Aragona', Salerno, ItalyUnit of Reproductive EndocrinologyFirst Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Stavroula A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Paschou
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and DiabetesHellenic Red Cross Hospital, Athanasaki 1, 11526 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Clinical Medicine and Surgery'Federico II' University of Naples, Naples, ItalyDepartment of Sports Science and Wellness'Parthenope' University of Naples, Naples, ItalyFertility Techniques SSDUniversity Hospital 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d' Aragona', Salerno, ItalyUnit of Reproductive EndocrinologyFirst Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muscogiuri
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and DiabetesHellenic Red Cross Hospital, Athanasaki 1, 11526 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Clinical Medicine and Surgery'Federico II' University of Naples, Naples, ItalyDepartment of Sports Science and Wellness'Parthenope' University of Naples, Naples, ItalyFertility Techniques SSDUniversity Hospital 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d' Aragona', Salerno, ItalyUnit of Reproductive EndocrinologyFirst Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Department of Endocrinology and DiabetesHellenic Red Cross Hospital, Athanasaki 1, 11526 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Clinical Medicine and Surgery'Federico II' University of Naples, Naples, ItalyDepartment of Sports Science and Wellness'Parthenope' University of Naples, Naples, ItalyFertility Techniques SSDUniversity Hospital 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d' Aragona', Salerno, ItalyUnit of Reproductive EndocrinologyFirst Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Orio
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and DiabetesHellenic Red Cross Hospital, Athanasaki 1, 11526 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Clinical Medicine and Surgery'Federico II' University of Naples, Naples, ItalyDepartment of Sports Science and Wellness'Parthenope' University of Naples, Naples, ItalyFertility Techniques SSDUniversity Hospital 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d' Aragona', Salerno, ItalyUnit of Reproductive EndocrinologyFirst Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Goulis
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000378:metabolism*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011627:Puberty / Q000378:metabolism*; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000378:metabolism*