Condition(s) treated: Obesity; Reproductive System

Phase: Phase 2

Enrollment status: Recruiting. Expecting to enroll 40 people.

Sponsor: Penn State University

Principal investigator(s) or official(s):
Richard Legro, M.D., Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Penn State University/Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Overall contact:
Jamie Ober, Registered Nurse, Phone: 717-531-6272, Email: jober@psu.edu

The purpose of this study is to examine how obesity and weight loss following bariatric surgery affect reproductive function. The study is particularly interested in how changes in hormones (those produced in the stomach and fat tissue) following weight loss affect reproductive function. Specifically, we propose to characterize reproductive abnormalities in morbidly obese men and women. We hypothesize that morbid obesity leads to reproductive abnormalities in men and women. We plan to examine the short-term effects of alteration in GI hormones after bariatric surgery on reproductive function. We hypothesize that bariatric surgery radically alters GI hormone expression, resulting in immediate changes to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in men and women. Lastly, to examine the long-term effects of weight loss and changes in adipokines on reproductive function. We hypothesize that the changes in adipokine levels resulting from fat mass reduction lead to substantial long-term improvements in reproductive function and fertility. We also hypothesize that there are sexual dimorphisms in adipokine levels following weight loss, with women experiencing larger changes than men.

Official title: The Effects of Morbid Obesity and Weight Loss on Reproductive Function: The Bariatric Surgery Model

Study design: Observational, Screening, Longitudinal, Defined Population, Prospective Study

Detailed description: Obesity may influence female reproduction through a variety of mechanisms including: suppressing ovulation; inhibiting ovarian follicular development; and altering endometrial development and implantation. In males, obesity may impair reproductive function by several mechanisms including: decreasing libido, causing erectile dysfunction, influencing semen composition, or sperm function. Therefore the long term goal of the current project is to understand the impact of severe obesity on reproductive function and how this is influenced by dramatic weight loss.

Minimum eligible age: 18 Years. Maximum eligible age: 40 Years. Eligible gender(s): Both.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- BMI of greater than 40 or a BMI between 35. 5-39. 9 and has a weigh related health problem, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

- Failed medical weight loss

- Ages of 18-40

- Not using hormonal contraception or sex steroids

- Subject is premenopausal and has not undergone a bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy

- Subjects obesity has no medical explanation (hypothyroidism, Cushing's Syndrome, genetic)

Exclusion Criteria:

- Not willing to make a lifelong commitment to the diet and exercise guidelines following bariatric surgery

- Subject is pregnant or lactating

- Not willing to use barrier contraceptives or IUD to prevent pregnancy for one year following bariatric surgery

- Post-menopausal either surgical or natural

- Subject has had a vasectomy

- Subject is a smoker

Jamie Ober, Registered Nurse, Phone: 717-531-6272, Email: jober@psu.edu

Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States; Recruiting
Jamie Ober, R.N., Phone: 717-531-6272, Email: jober@psu.edu
Sandy Eyer, Associates Degree, Phone: 717-531-1540, Email: seyer@psu.edu
Richard Legro, M.D., Principal Investigator

Start date: June 2005
End date: December 2011
Last updated: January 31, 2006