Role of Obesity in Female Reproduction

Contemporary scientists need no p value and relative risk statistics to be exquisitely aware of the increasing prevalence of obesity and complications posed by obesity. It is now well recognized that obesity is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, vascular disease, tumors and reproductive disorders. Obese women show lower levels of gonadotropin hormones, reduced fecundity, higher miscarriage rates and poorer outcomes of in vitro fertilization, revealing that obesity affects female reproduction. In addition, adipose tissue contains special immune cells and obesity-induced inflammation is a chronic, low-grade inflammatory response. Herein, we mainly review detrimental influences of obesity in the complete process of female reproduction, including hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, oocyte maturation, embryo and fetal development. In the latter part, we view obesity-induced inflammation and discuss related epigenetic impact on female reproduction.

Automated summary

Contemporary scientists are well aware of the increasing prevalence of obesity and its complications. Obesity is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, vascular disease, tumors, and reproductive disorders. It affects female reproduction by reducing fertility, increasing miscarriage rates, and affecting the success of in vitro fertilization. Moreover, obesity-induced inflammation has a chronic inflammatory response, affecting the complete process of female reproduction.