Effect of obesity on ovarian reserve parameters in mid-reproductive age women [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

Background: The initiation and maintenance of reproductive functions are related to an optimal body weight in women. Body weight affects the ovarian reserve, which is basically an estimate of how many oocytes (eggs) are left in the ovaries. Objective: To study the relationship between obesity and serum and ultrasound markers of ovarian reserve in mid-reproductive age women (21-35 years old). Patients and methods: Twenty participants ("obese") had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 35 kg/m2 and another 20 participants ("non-obese") had a BMI 20-29 kg/m2. The obese women had a mean age of 27.9 years and the non-obese women had a mean age of 29.5 years. Blood samples were collected from all participants, anthropometric measurements were calculated, and transvaginal ultrasonography was performed to measure the antral follicle count (AFC) during the early follicular phase. The blood samples were assayed for antimüllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2). Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding ovarian reserve markers and there is no significant correlation between these markers and BMI, except for serum E2 in the obese group. Conclusion: Obesity has no effect on the levels of serum FSH, AMH, or AFC indicating that obesity is unlikely to affect ovarian reserve in the mid-reproductive age group.