Effects of Follicle Stimulating Hormone on Energy Balance and Tissue Metabolic Health After Loss of Ovarian Function

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Mar 27. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00400.2023. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTLoss of ovarian function imparts increased susceptibility to obesity and metabolic disease. These effects are largely attributed to decreased estradiol (E2), but the role of increased follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in modulating energy balance has not been fully investigated. Previous work that blocked FSH binding to its receptor in mice suggested this hormone may play a part in modulating body weight and energy expenditure after ovariectomy. We used an alternate approach to isolate the individual and combined contributions of FSH and E2 in mediating energy imbalance and changes in tissue-level metabolic health. Female Wistar rats were ovariectomized and given the GnRH antagonist degarelix to suppress FSH production. E2 and FSH were then added back individually and in combination for a period of 3 weeks. Energy balance, body mass composition, and transcriptomic profiles of individual tissues were obtained. In contrast to previous studies, suppression and replacement of FSH in our paradigm had no effect on body weight, body composition, food intake, or energy expenditure. We did, however, observe organ-specific effects of FSH that produced unique transcriptomic signatures of FSH in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue. These included reductions in biological processes related to lipogenesis and carbohydrate transport. Additionally, rats administered FSH had reduced li...
Source: Am J Physiol Endocri... - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Source Type: research