Answer:
Lower levels of LH (Luteinizing Hormone) in the body
Explanation:
The female Luteinizing hormone is a hormone that is produced by gonadotropic cells in the anterior pituitary gland. This hormone is responsible for triggering ovulation and the development of the Corpus Luteum.
Energy from ingested food is required to do this, and when in short supply, the secretion of LH is impeded, thereby affecting ovulation and giving rise to menstrual irregularities.
Answer: Reduced Secretion of Luteinizing Hormone(LH)
Intense exercise leading to low energy levels ( below 30%) and high energy deficiency, with the resultant increased blood concentration of stress hormones have high negative effects on the Hypothalamus-Pituitary- Ovarian Axis( HPO) and eventual production of female reproductive hormones in Athletes. HPG(Hypothalamic- Pituitary- Gonadal- Axis and HPO are collective systems that regulate the production of reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Based on mechanism a drastic reduction in energy levels to the cells during chronic exercise caused significant drop in blood insulin and insulin-like growth factor1(IGF-1).Because normal blood insulin levels suppresses blood cortisol and IGF-binding protein -1, its significant drop leads to corresponding increase in the levels of these molecules .
Consequently; cortisol inhibits the stimulation of the hypothalamus for the secretions of the Gonadotropin- releasing- hormones from the pituitary glands. While the IGF- binding protein-1 reduces the sensitivity for (Hypothalamic –Pituitary –Gonadal (HPG) axis stimulation.
The results is a significant reduction LH and FSH production by the anterior pituitary glands, and therefore less stimulation of the ovarian receptors for oestrogen and progesterone production, disruption of Luteal phase and hence Amenorrhea
