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.

Design

We tested for an association of voluntary weight change over the course of a menstrual cycle with salivary E₂ and P profiles in the same menstrual cycle.

Setting

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

Patient(s)

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

Intervention(s)

None.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

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.

Result(s)

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 E₂ peaks in women who gained weight. Peak luteal P also arrived about 2 days earlier in women who gained weight.

Conclusion(s)

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.

Key Words: Energy balance, weight change, estradiol, progesterone