Leptin affects pregnancy outcome of in vitro fertilization and steroidogenesis of human granulosa cells.
OBJECTIVE
This study was to examine the serum leptin levels in the prediction of pregnancy outcomes in women receiving ovarian hyperstimulation. Effect of leptin on the steroidogenesis was evaluated for granulosa cell (GC) culture in vitro.


METHODS
Serum levels of leptin and estradiol were measured on Day 2, the time of hCG administration and oocyte retrieval in 50 women undergoing long-course GnRH agonist ovarian hyperstimulation. The production of estrogen and progesterone in granulosa cell culture were detected after administration of leptin at the absence or presence of FSH 1 mIU.


RESULTS
Leptin levels at the time of hCG injection were significantly lower in the pregnant women than in those without pregnancy. Estradiol concentrations were not correlated with leptin levels during the time of hCG injection and oocyte retrieval. High leptin concentration suppressed both basal estradiol and progesterone productions in GC. Leptin in high doses suppressed estradiol production, but did not alter progesterone production of GC in the presence of FSH.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum leptin levels may be predictive of IVF pregnancy outcome with the effect on intraovarian progesterone/estradiol ratio during the follicular phase. Significantly low serum leptin levels were noted in the pregnant women than in the nonpregnant women.
Tsai
Eing-Mei
EM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Taiwan.
Yang
Cheng-Hui
CH
Chen
Sheng-Chung
SC
Liu
Yung-Hsien
YH
Chen
Hung-Sheng
HS
Hsu
Shih-Cheng
SC
Lee
Jau-Nan
JN
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D020738:Leptin; D013256:Steroids; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone