Inhibitory effect of obesity on gonadotropin, estradiol, and inhibin B levels in fertile women.

Objective: To examine whether obesity and insulin resistance have an independent effect on the gonadotropin, estradiol, and inhibin B serum levels and follicle count in the early follicular phase of fertile women with a wide range of BMI and without signs of hyperandrogenism.

Research Methods And Procedures: Twenty-two overweight and obese (BMI > or =25.0 kg/m(2)) women and 10 normal-weight (BMI <25.