LBMON235 Impact Of A Hypocaloric Dietary Weight-loss Intervention On Antral Follicle Dynamics In Women With Obesity And Regular Ovulatory Cycles

We recently showed that eumenorrheic, ovulatory women with obesity experience suppressed antral follicle dynamics, as evidenced by fewer recruitment events, selectable follicles and dominant follicles. Ovulatory follicles were selected for preferential growth at smaller diameters and lower luteal progesterone production was also observed. Weight loss is posited to improve reproductive function in women with obesity. However, the mechanisms underlying these improvements are unclear. The objective of this study was to contrast ovarian follicular growth and endocrine dynamics in eumenorrheic women with obesity, before and after a weight-loss intervention. | Twelve reproductive age females with obesity (total percent body fat ≥35%) and regular menstrual cycles (21-35 days) were evaluated by serial ovarian transvaginal ultrasonography and venipuncture every-other-day for one complete inter-ovulatory interval (IOI) (pre-intervention) and after a 6-month hypocaloric dietary intervention (post-intervention). The number and diameters of all follicles ≥2mm at each visit were documented offline using the Grid Method. Growth profiles of individual follicles which grew to >7mm were recorded using the Identity Method to document antral follicle recruitment events, selection, and ovulation. Clinical, morphologic, and endocrine features were compared pre- and post-intervention using paired t-tests and mixed models. | Participants lost an average of 9.5±3.8% total body weight (IQR: 7.7-12.6%). Antral follicle counts (AFC) across the IOI were lower post-intervention versus pre-intervention (PINTERVENTION=0. 002), driven by fewer 2-5mm follicles (PINTERVENTION=0. 001). Participants tended to exhibit more recruitment events (Pre: 1. 0±0.7 vs. Post: 2. 0±0.9, P=0. 09) and more selectable (6-9mm) follicles before and after weight loss (4±3 vs. 6±4 respectively, P=0. 07). A greater number of selectable follicles achieved a diameter of >10mm across the IOI post-intervention (PINTERVENTION=0. 001). Ovulatory follicles were also selected at larger diameters after the intervention (Pre: 7.3±2.9mm vs. Post: 10.9±2.6, P=0. 01). Dominant and ovulatory follicle growth kinetics were similar before and after the intervention (All, P>0. 05). Luteal progesterone concentrations were higher in women after the intervention (Pre: 5.3±3.7 vs. Post: 6.3±4.7ng/mL, P<0. 0001). | Eumenorrheic women with obesity demonstrate changes in follicle dynamics with weight loss following a hypocaloric dietary intervention. Development of more dominant follicles, a larger diameter at selection, and increased luteal progesterone production suggests increased responsiveness to gonadotropins with weight loss. Further studies are needed to elucidate the metabolic mechanisms driving any transient or sustained changes in ovarian physiology with hypocaloric dietary interventions aimed at weight loss. Presentation: Monday, June 13, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.