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Cited by 153Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesRegulation of Appetite and ObesityBone health and osteoporosis research

Leptin Is Inversely Related to Age at Menarche in Human Females

Matkovic, V.·1997·Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
DOI 10.1210/jc.82.10.3239
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Abstract

Over the last century there has been a trend toward an earlier onset of menarche attributed to better nutrition and body fatness. With the discovery of the obesity gene and its product, leptin, we reexamined this hypothesis from a new perspective. As delayed menarche and leanness are considered risk factors for osteoporosis, we also evaluated the relation between leptin and bone mass. Body composition and serum leptin levels were measured, and the timing of menarche was recorded in 343 pubertal females over 4 yr. Body composition was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry, and leptin by a new RIA. All participants were premenarcheal at baseline (aged 8.3-13.1 yr). Leptin was strongly associated with body fat (r = 0.81; P < 0.0001) and change in body fat (r = 0.58; P < 0.0001). The rise in serum leptin concentration up to the level of 12.2 ng/mL (95% confidence interval, 7.2-16.7) was associated with the decline in age at menarche. An increase of 1 ng/mL in serum leptin lowered the age at menarche by 1 month. A serum leptin level of 12.2 ng/mL corresponded to a relative percent body fat of 29.7%, a body mass index of 22.3, and-body fat of 16.0 kg. A gain in body fat of 1 kg lowered the timing of menarche by 13 days. Leptin was positively related to bone area (r = 0.307; P < 0.0001) and change in bone area (r = 0.274; P < 0.0001). A critical blood leptin level is necessary to trigger reproductive ability in women, suggesting a threshold effect. Leptin is a mediator between adipose tissue and the gonads. Leptin may also mediate the effect of obesity on bone mass by influencing the periosteal envelope. This may have implications for the development of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

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  • Leptin may have a role for treating the reproductive dysfunction seen in low leptin states, such as hypothalamic amenorrhea and eating disorders, and may also have therapeutic applications in conditions such as delayed puberty.

    “and suggest that leptin may have a role for treating the reproductive dysfunction seen in low leptin states, such as hypothalamic amenorrhea and eating disorders, and may also have therapeutic applications in conditions such as delayed puberty, which is associated with decreased leptin levels (35, 36).”

    From The role of falling leptin levels in the neuroendocrine and metabolic adaptation to short-term starvation in healthy men (2003) · cites this paper as [36]

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Authors
Matkovic, V.
Corresponding author
Matkovic, V.
Venue
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Publisher
The Endocrine Society
Published
1997-10-01
Volume
82
Issue
10
Pages
3239-3245
ISSN
0021-972X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1210/jc.82.10.3239
OpenAlex
W4237988775
Cited by
152
References
0
Citations by year
2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 8
FWCI
5.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • Journal of Bioresource Management (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Bone health and osteoporosis research
Keywords
leptin, age at menarche, puberty onset, fat mass, body composition, bone mass, bone area, adipose tissue, obesity, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, reproductive maturation

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