The ecological context of human ovarian function

New methods for monitoring ovarian function have allowed an extension of research venue beyond typical clinical settings to studies of human populations in their natural settings. Such studies have confirmed that patterns of variation in ovarian function with age and energetic factors are general fe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 1993-12, Vol.8 (12), p.2248-2258
Main Authors: Ellison, P.T., Panter-Brick, C., Lipson, S.F., O'Rourke, M.T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
age
Aging - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
ecology
energetics
Energy Metabolism - physiology
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Lactation - physiology
Mammalian female genital system
Morphology. Physiology
nutritional status
ovarian function
Ovary - physiology
Vertebrates: reproduction
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Summary:New methods for monitoring ovarian function have allowed an extension of research venue beyond typical clinical settings to studies of human populations in their natural settings. Such studies have confirmed that patterns of variation in ovarian function with age and energetic factors are general features of human reproductive biology. Age patterns of ovarian function are extremely robust across populations of distinct genetic, ecological and cultural backgrounds. Comparable ovarian responses to energetic stresses are likewise observable in different populations where they arise as correlates of local ecologies rather than as correlates of voluntary patterns of diet or exercise. Maternal age and energetic factors also appear to interact with lactation in the modulation of postpartum, ovarian function. Average levels of ovarian function, however, differ considerably between populations, perhaps correlated with chronic environmental conditions that affect growth, development, and the establishment of adult setpoints. Western populations appear to represent an extreme of the spectrum of variation in ovarian function, a fact which may relate to the epidemiology of breast and ovarian cancer.
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a138015