Effects of low energy availability on female reproductive function

Background It is known that metabolic and nutritional disturbances induce reproductive dysfunction in females. The main cause of these alterations is reduced gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from the hypothalamus, and the underlying mechanisms have gradually been elucidated. Methods...

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Published in:Reproductive medicine and biology 2022-01, Vol.21 (1), p.e12414-n/a
Main Authors: Iwasa, Takeshi, Minato, Saki, Imaizumi, Junki, Yoshida, Atsuko, Kawakita, Takako, Yoshida, Kanako, Yamamoto, Yuri
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ablation
Amenorrhea
Appetite
Energy
Females
Fertility
Ghrelin
GnRH
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Hormones
Hypothalamus
Hypotheses
Infertility
Insulin
Kiss1 protein
kisspeptin
Leptin
Metabolism
Neuroendocrine system
Neurons
Neuropeptide Y
Nutrition
Nutritional status
Orexins
Peptides
Pituitary (anterior)
Puberty
Review
Satiety
Secretion
Weight control
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Summary:Background It is known that metabolic and nutritional disturbances induce reproductive dysfunction in females. The main cause of these alterations is reduced gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from the hypothalamus, and the underlying mechanisms have gradually been elucidated. Methods The present review summarizes current knowledge about the effects of nutrition/metabolism on reproductive functions, especially focusing on the GnRH regulation system. Main findings Various central and peripheral factors are involved in the regulation of GnRH secretion, and alterations in their activity combine to affect GnRH neurons. Satiety‐related factors, i.e., leptin, insulin, and alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone, directly and indirectly stimulate GnRH secretion, whereas orexigenic factors, i.e., neuropeptide Y, Agouti‐related protein, orexin, and ghrelin, attenuate GnRH secretion. In addition, kisspeptin, which is a potent positive regulator of GnRH, expression is reduced by metabolic and nutritional disturbances. Conclusion These neuroendocrine systems may be defensive mechanisms, which help organisms to survive adverse conditions by temporarily suppressing reproduction.
ISSN:1445-5781
1447-0578
DOI:10.1002/rmb2.12414