Plasma leptin in female athletes: relationship with body fat, reproductive, nutritional, and endocrine factors

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) 2000-06, Vol.88 (6), p.2037-2044
• Main Authors: Thong, Farah S. L, McLean, Cyndy, Graham, Terry E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - anatomy & histology; Adult; Amenorrhea - physiopathology; Androgens; Anthropometry; Athletes; Biological and medical sciences; Body fat; Contraceptives, Oral - pharmacology; Diet; Endocrine Glands - physiology; Energy Intake; Energy Metabolism; Exercise - physiology; Female; Females; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genes; Hormones; Hormones - blood; Humans; Insulin; Leptin - blood; Menstrual Cycle - physiology; Nutritional Status; Plasma; Reproduction; Reproductive system; Sports; Thyroid gland; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
• ISSN: 8750-7587; 1522-1601
• DOI: 10.1152/jappl.2000.88.6.2037

Department of Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1 The relationship of leptin to thyroid and sex hormones, insulin, energy intake, exercise energy expenditure, and reproductive function was assessed in 39 female athletes. They comprised elite athletes who were either amenorrheic (EAA; n  = 5) or cyclic (ECA; n  = 8) and recreationally active women who were either cyclic (RCA; n  = 13) or taking oral contraceptives (ROC; n  = 13). Leptin was significantly lower in EAA (1.7 ± 0.2 ng/ml) than in ECA (2.9   ± 0.3 ng/ml), RCA (5.8 ± 0.9 ng/ml), and ROC (7.4 ± 1.3 ng/ml). Hypoleptinemia in EAA was paralleled by reductions ( P