Increased cortisol level: a possible link between climacteric symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors.

Objective: Vasomotor symptoms may increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases through still elusive mechanisms. Increased cortisol release may favor atherosclerosis. In this study, we tested whether vasomotor and psychological symptoms are associated with an increase in cortisol levels.

Menopause, estrogens, progestins, or their combination on body weight and anthropometric measures.

Objective: To evaluate modification in body weight and anthropometric indexes in women at the time of menopause.

Design: Prospective longitudinal study.

Setting: Menopause Center at the University Hospital of Modena.

Cyclic progestin administration increases energy expenditure and decreases body fat mass in perimenopausal women.

Objective: The menopause transition is characterized by luteal phase defect anovulatory cycles, and changes in body weight and body composition. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is increased in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. We evaluated whether progestin administration increases RMR and influences body composition of perimenopausal women.

Does plasma insulin level affect ovarian response to exogenous administration of follicle-stimulating hormone in women without polycystic ovary syndrome?

Background: Raised insulin levels have been shown to contribute to ovarian overproduction of androgens. Hyperinsulinemia, usually associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), brings about greater ovarian endocrine and morphological responses to ovulation induced by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This indicates that elevated levels of insulin play a role in the endocrine and paracrine control of the ovaries.

Sexual dimorphism in the levels of amniotic fluid leptin in pregnancies at 16 weeks of gestation: relation to fetal growth.

Objective: To investigate whether in the first half of pregnancy levels of leptin in amniotic fluid are sexually dimorphic, and are related to fetal growth.

Study Design: Samples of amniotic fluid were collected during amniocentesis from 211 pregnancies with a single fetus with a normal karyotype (107 from male fetuses). Fetal growth was evaluated at 16 and 32 weeks of gestation, by sonography, and in a subset of 137 women at delivery.

Comparison of the effect of oral and transdermal hormone therapy on fasting and postmethionine homocysteine levels.

Objective: To compare the modifications on basal and post-methionine homocysteine (Hcy) levels induced by transdermal vs. oral continuous combined hormone therapy (HT).

Design: Prospective randomized study.