Loss of Body Fat and Associated Decrease in XXXX in Early Lactation Are Related to Shorter Duration of Postpartum Anovulation in Healthy US @entity1 .

@entity1 @entity3206 @entity1243
BACKGROUND: The mechanisms regulating @entity3206 ( @entity3206 ) are not well understood, although poor nutritional status and "intense" breastfeeding behaviors are associated with longer durations. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed primarily to investigate the hypothesis that higher body fat and @entity1243 concentrations are related to shorter @entity3206 in healthy, lactating US @entity1 . Nutrient intake, breastfeeding behaviors, prolactin, and insulin levels were also evaluated. METHODS: Fasting serum was collected during the third trimester of pregnancy, at 2 and 4 weeks postpartum, and every 4 weeks until the occurrence of the first postpartum menses. Body composition and breastfeeding behaviors were assessed at the same times postpartum. @entity1 (n = 13) were categorized based on initial percentage body fat and timing of first postpartum menses. RESULTS: There were no consistent relationships between body composition, @entity1243 , or breastfeeding behaviors and duration of @entity3206 . However, there was an interaction (P = .005) between ovulation group and time on adiposity; earlier ovulating @entity1 had less percentage body fat in early lactation than did later ovulating @entity1 . There was also an interaction (P = .1) between ovulation group and time postpartum on @entity1243 , such that @entity1243 concentrations tended to be greater in later than earlier ovulating groups beginning at 12 weeks postpartum. CONCLUSION: In summary, although baseline percentage body fat and @entity1243 were not related to duration of @entity3206 , fertility returned earlier in @entity1 who lost greater percentage body fat during the early postpartum period.
