Circulating leptin levels during ovulation induction: relation to adiposity and ovarian morphology.
OBJECTIVE
To assess serum leptin levels based on body habitus and ovarian morphology during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.


METHODS
Prospective analysis.


METHODS
University IVF program.


METHODS
Women undergoing IVF-ET were divided into two groups, obese ovulatory women (n = 6; mean (+/-SD) body mass index, 30.1 +/- 0.6 kg/m(2)) and lean ovulatory women (n = 20); mean (+/- SD) body mass index 22.0 +/- 0.2 kg/m(2)). Lean women were categorized further according to whether they had polycystic-appearing ovaries (n = 8) or normal-appearing ovaries (n = 12).


METHODS
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and IVF.


METHODS
Serum estradiol, testosterone, and leptin.


RESULTS
Mean (+/- SD) leptin levels were significantly higher before and after GnRH agonist down-regulation in obese women (41.7 +/- 5.2 pg/mL and 36.1 +/- 5.8 pg/mL, respectively) compared with lean women (8.4 +/- 1.0 pg/mL and 6.9 +/- 1.1 pg/mL, respectively). Mean (+/- SD) leptin levels increased significantly in both groups (54.5 +/- 5.1 pg/mL and 11.7 +/- 1.2 pg/mL, respectively), and the mean (+/-SD) percentage increase was similar (55% +/- 18% and 54.8% +/- 17%, respectively). Mean (+/-SD) leptin levels were similar in women with polycystic-appearing and normal-appearing ovaries before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, but increased significantly in women with polycystic-appearing ovaries afterward (14.7 +/- 1.8 pg/mL and 9.3 +/- 1.0 pg/mL, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Significant increases in leptin levels occur during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, suggesting that leptin plays a role in follicular growth and maturation. The exaggerated response in women with polycystic-appearing ovaries reflects either a greater number of recruited follicles or a predisposition of adipocytes to leptin production.
Lindheim
S R
SR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.
Sauer
M V
MV
Carmina
E
E
Chang
P L
PL
Zimmerman
R
R
Lobo
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D020738:Leptin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins