Adipokines: implications for female fertility and obesity

• Published in: Reproduction (Cambridge, England) Vol. 130; no. 5; pp. 583 - 597
• Main Authors: Mitchell, M, Armstrong, D T, Robker, R L, Norman, R J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester Society for Reproduction and Fertility 01.11.2005; Journals of Reproduction and Fertility, Ltd; Portland
• Subjects: adiponectin; Adiponectin - physiology; Adipose Tissue - metabolism; animal ovaries; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - metabolism; embryogenesis; endometrium; Female; female fertility; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gonadotropins; Humans; Infertility, Female - metabolism; Insulin - metabolism; Insulin Resistance; leptin; Leptin - physiology; Mammalian reproduction. General aspects; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Models, Animal; Obesity; Obesity - metabolism; Pregnancy; resistin; Resistin - physiology; REVIEW; Vertebrates: reproduction; Obesity; Reproduction; Fertility; Nutrition disorder; Female; Adipokine; Nutritional status
• ISSN: 1470-1626; 1741-7899
• DOI: 10.1530/rep.1.00521

Obesity is associated with a diverse set of metabolic disorders, and has reproductive consequences that are complex and not well understood. The adipose tissue-produced leptin has dominated the literature with regards to female fertility complications, but it is pertinent to explore the likely role of other adipokines – adiponectin and resistin – as our understanding of their biological functions emerge. Leptin influences the developing embryo, the functioning of the ovary and the endometrium, interacts with the release and activity of gonadotrophins and the hormones that control their synthesis. In this review such biological actions and potential roles of the adipokines leptin, adiponectin and resistin are explored in relation to female fertility and the complexity of the obese metabolic state.