Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Abnormal reproductive development in adolescent females may have long lasting consequences on health. Teens often wait two or more years after their first period (menarche) before being evaluated for reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Early detection and intervention of abnormal reproductive development would help to reduce future health issues, but a major challenge relates to the lack of knowledge about the nature of the adolescent reproductive transition in the years immediately after menarche. In adults, features of the ovary on ultrasound are useful in detecting problems with reproduction. But, reliable data on how the ovary changes during adolescence are not available, limiting the ability of ultrasound to detect problems early in teens. We know that nutrition can impact the onset of puberty and contribute to reproductive problems later in life. However, what role nutrition may play in the years between menarche and the diagnosis of a reproductive disorder is unknown. This research will address these gaps by defining the changes in the ovaries that occur alongside the development of menstrual cyclicity during the first two years after menarche. We expect to see differences in the appearance of the ovary in teens that achieve regular periods versus those with irregular periods after two years. This research will also determine whether specific aspects of nutrition are related with the trajectory towards PCOS in teens. We predict that dietary intake, even at this early stage, impacts reproductive function. These studies will reveal changes in the ovary during adolescence that can be used to develop early diagnostic tools for clinicians when evaluating teens for risk of reproductive disorders. By identifying dietary factors that may influence reproductive development, this research will form the basis for future studies that can evaluate the impact of nutritional changes on reducing risk and progression of reproductive disorders.