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Review
. 2019 Apr;9(1):65-72.
doi: 10.1038/s41367-019-0009-1. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Female infertility: which role for obesity?

Alessandra Gambineri  1 , Daniela Laudisio  2 , Chiara Marocco  3 , Stefano Radellini  4 , Annamaria Colao  2 , Silvia Savastano  2 ; Obesity Programs of nutrition, Education, Research and Assessment (OPERA) group
Affiliations
Review

Female infertility: which role for obesity?

Alessandra Gambineri et al. Int J Obes Suppl. 2019 Apr.

Abstract

Obesity is associated with infertility in women through multiple and complex mechanisms. Briefly, the adipose tissue through the production of many factors, such as leptin, free fatty acids (FFA), and cytokines may affect both ovarian and endometrium functions, with a final alteration in oocyte maturation and endometrial epithelium receptivity. In addition, through the development of peripheral insulin resistance obesity produces a condition of functional hyperandrogenism and hyperestrogenism that contribute to produce anovulation and to reduce endometrial receptivity and, therefore participate to cause infertility. Weight loss is able to restore fertility in most cases, but there are no practical indications to guide the clinician to choice the best method among increased physical activity, diet, drugs, and bariatric surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestAG is a consultant for Bayer. The remaining authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mechanisms linking obesity with infertility. TNF-α tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6 interleukin-6, FFA free fatty acid, GH growth hormone, SHBG sex hormone binding globulin, IGFBPs insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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