title: [Serum leptin levels during normal menstrual cycles in women].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the changes in serum leptin levels during normal menstrual cycles in women for the purpose of investigating the association of leptin with female fertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples were collected from 35 healthy women on day 2 and 8 of the menstrual cycle and days 1 and 6 after ovulation, respectively. Serum leptin levels in these samples were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the results statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant increase in the leptin levels was observed after ovulation, reaching the peak level (19.8+/-1.61) ng/ml on day 6 after ovulation. During follicular phase, serum leptin level dropped to its lowest point of 17.1+/-1.24 and 17.6+/-1.32 ng/ml respectively on day 2 and 8 when a new menstrual cycle started.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum leptin levels undergo significant changes with progress of the menstrual cycles, suggesting a close relationship between leptin and female reproductive function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, Guangzhou 510010, China.
authors.forename: Xin-Yu
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Fu-Qi
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Shi-Ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin