Estrogen Sensitivity and Ovulatory Dysfunction in Obesity
Obesity, Infertility
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Obesity focused on measuring LH pulsatility, Obesity, Reproduction
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18-42 at study entry
- Regular menstrual cycles every 25-40 days
- BMI 18- 25 kg/m2 or ≥30kg/m2
- Good general health
- Prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) within normal laboratory ranges at screening
- Baseline hemoglobin >11 gm/dl.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Positive screen for Activated Protein C resistance
- Any contraindications to exogenous estrogen, including previous thromboembolic events or stroke, history of an estrogen-dependent tumor, active liver disease, undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding, hypertriglyceridemia, smoking, hypertension
- History of chronic disease affecting hormone production, metabolism or clearance (including diabetes mellitus) or abnormal renal or liver function at screening, such as elevated aspartate or alanine aminotransferases or elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or creatinine
- Current use of thiazolidinediones or metformin (known to interact with reproductive hormones)
- Use of hormones affecting hypothalamic-pituitary ovarian axis within three months of enrollment
- Strenuous exercise (>4 hours per week)
- Pregnancy, breast-feeding or current active attempts to conceive
Sites / Locations
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Other
Experimental
Group 1 - Normal Weight
Group 2 - Obese
Group 1: Normal weight (BMI 18-25 kg/m2) Subjects were instructed to apply 0.1 mg/d transdermal estrogen (Estradiol) for one month. Pituitary response was assessed to determine how estradiol administration altered pituitary sensitivity to Gonadotropin-releasing hormone - GnRH. Subjects who failed to initiate a menstrual period following 40 days on the patch were instructed to take 200 mg daily of progesterone for 10 days or as long as deemed necessary.
Group 2: Obese (BMI >30 kg/m2) Subjects were instructed to apply 0.1 mg/d transdermal estrogen (Estradiol) for one month. Pituitary response was assessed to determine how estradiol administration altered pituitary sensitivity to Gonadotropin-releasing hormone - GnRH. Subjects who failed to initiate a menstrual period following 40 days on the patch were instructed to take 200 mg daily of progesterone for 10 days or as long as deemed necessary.