Why obese women are at risk for infertility
Johns Hopkins researchers have uncovered what they think contributes to a high risk of infertility in obese women.
The researchers found that the pituitary gland actively responds to chronically high insulin levels, triggering hormonal changes that disrupt ovarian function and hurt fertility.
The research was conducted on mice and published online in the journal Cell Metabolism.
The findings challenge the widely held belief that infertility is a result of insulin resistance, or a body's insensitivity to very high insulin levels. Instead, the Hopkins researchers said the problem is heightened sensitivity to insulin's effects on the pituitary gland.
Scientists have traditionally focused on treating infertility by lowering insulin levels. The new models provide evidence that the better treatment is decreasing the pituitary's sensitivity to insulin.
