Final answer:
The hormone leptin, released by adipose tissue in response to food consumption, signals that the body has adequate nutrients for reproduction by influencing the production of reproductive hormones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hormonal signal from fat that indicates the body may have adequate nutrients for reproduction is leptin. Adipose tissue, or body fat, releases leptin in response to food intake, and it's essential for the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotropin. Without enough body fat, leptin release is insufficient, which can lead to disruptions in reproductive processes. In women, leptin is involved in the regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is necessary for ovulation and the production of ovarian hormones. In men, leptin influences the production of testosterone. Moreover, increased body fat and thus higher levels of leptin improve fertility, as seen when extremely thin women experience delayed puberty or reduced fertility, which can be reversed with increased adipose levels.