title: Circulating leptin levels during ovulation induction: relation to adiposity and ovarian morphology.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lindheim
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carmina
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lobo
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins