Sex Hormones in Obese Girls

Sex hormones; mainly represented by the gonadotropins and androgens; have an interacting mechanisms with obesity. Gonadotropins (leutinizing hormone and follicular stimulating hormone) are hormones secreted from the gonadotrophs of the anterior pituitary. They stimulate the gonads (the testes in males, and the ovaries in females). Excessive body weight is associated with suppresion of gonadotropin secretion among early pubertal obese girls. While androgens (total testosterone and free testosterone) are hormones produced by either the adrenal glands and/or the ovaries. Hyperandrogenemia (due to excessive androgen production or increased tissue sensitivity to circulating androgens) represents the most common endocrine disorder in females during reproductive age. It affects different tissues and organs, resulting in a wide range of clinical conditions, e.g. acne, hirsutism, frank virilization, etc. The etiology of hyperandrogenemia in some obese girls may be linked to insulin resistance with compensatory hyperinsulinemia. This is a trial to through light on the interacting mechanisms between obesity, hyperandrogenemia, and gonadotropins suppression among pubertal obese girls.