Biochemical Markers of Ovarian Reserve in Females, Effect of Exercise on Such Reserves

Abstract

Background: Female who are in fertile period of their life and prefer a sedentary life style rather than performing regular physical exercise, whether light or heavy exercise show different hormonal pattern which effect their physical health. Such hormonal changes are directly related to the level of ovarian reserve of hormones which are negatively affected by lack of exercise. The ovarian pool of hormones decline with age and also lack of physical exercise. Among the large pool of biochemical markers AMH (anti-mullerian hormone) appears to be the most important and helpful indicator of ovarian reserve. Inclusion criteria: Healthy females between 25 to 35 years of age were included in the study. Exclusion criteria: Females below 25 years and above 35 years of age were excluded from the study, in addition those females having some medical problem or using some medication were also excluded from the study. Material and Methods: 20 females consented to participate in the study who were divided in two groups. These females were living a sedentary life before they joined the gymnasium. One group was subjected to light aerobic exercise and other group to heavy physical exercise. Tests before the start of study were conducted and were repeated after 08 weeks of study to observe the effect of both exercises on the ovarian reserves of different hormones. Results: The comparison between both groups were observed, the values before and after exercise has a remarkable difference, a decrease in values were observed in body weight, BMI, waist and hip ratio after exercise. Slight reduction in E2 and FSH level after aerobic exercises was observed. Whereas in heavy exercise group significant difference i.e. increase in level of FSH was observed at the same time, significant decrease in AMH level was also observed. The difference between E2 and LH had no significance in heavy exercise group. Conclusion: Those females who were living sedentary life and performed light aerobic exercise, even for a longer time period did not showed significant change in the E2, LH, FSH and AMH level of hormones. However, heavy exercise reduces the level of AMH and increases the level of FSH. These finding suggest heavy exercise may affect fertility in a negative way especially in females with low ovarian reserves. Keywords: Exercise, spinning, ovarian reserve, AMHh anti-mullerian hormone