Deficiency of energy balance and ovulatory disorders

Abstract

'To whom correspondence should be addressed The effect of unbalanced nutrition on the menstrual cycle in women has largely been investigated in epidemiological studies and was illustrated by the observation that the Bushman women ovulated only at a certain time of the year when food is plentiful and hunting activities restricted (Vander Walt et al, 1978). In clinical studies, food depriva-tion clearly induces overt abnormalities of the puberty and ovulatory processes (Reid and Van Vugt, 1987; Bringer et al, 1990). Experimental studies in various animal models have confirmed the profound impact of food restriction and/or underweight on gonadotrophin concentrations, mainly by altering the release of gonadotrophin