Ovarian volume is associated with adiposity measures and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

The present study aimed to assess the association between ovarian volume and demographic and anthropometric parameters, as well as sex hormones and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.

161 healthy postmenopausal women participated in this cross-sectional study. Fasting venous blood samples were obtained for biochemical/hormonal assessment. Anthropometric parameters included body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Ultrasonography was used to estimate the average ovarian volume for each participant. BMD was measured in the femoral neck (FN) and the lumbar spine (LS) using DXA.

Mean ovarian volume increased linearly with increasing quartiles of BMI (Q1:0.985±0.25, Q2: 1.11±0.29, Q3: 1.07±0.28, Q4: 1.19±0.38, p-value for linear trend 0.013). Ovarian volume correlated positively with BMI (r=0.128, p-value=0.038), FN BMD (r=0.233, p-value=0.003), FN T-score (r=0.223, p-value=0.004) and FN Z-score (r=0.171, p-value=0.027). Multivariate analysis showed that ovarian volume was predicted by WHR (b-coefficient=0.157, p-value=0.047) and SHBG (b-coefficient= -0.160, p-value=0.042), independently of age and BMI. Finally, FN BMD was predicted by ovarian volume, independently of age, menopausal age and BMI.

Ovarian volume was positively and independently associated with adiposity indexes and femoral BMD in postmenopausal women. Lower SHBG levels were associated with higher ovarian volume. Insulin resistance may mediate these results. The significance of these findings should be assessed in larger prospective studies.