Leptin and soluble leptin receptor in follicular fluid.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies suggest that follicular fluid leptin levels predict successful assisted reproduction. The relationship between intrafollicular leptin and the soluble leptin receptor, ovarian hormones, and oocyte quality was examined to determine potential factors contributing to this finding.


METHODS
Follicular fluid leptin, soluble leptin receptor, hormones, and oocyte quality were examined in 84 individual follicles from 30 women undergoing in vitro fertilization.


RESULTS
Follicular fluid leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels correlated inversely with each other (r = -0.354; p = 0.001). Follicular fluid leptin levels correlated with intrafollicular estradiol (r = 0.42; p < 0.001), progesterone (r = 0.48; p < 0.001), and androstenedione (r = 0.49; p < 0.001), whereas soluble leptin receptor levels correlated with activin (r = 0.38; p < 0.001) and follistatin (r = 0.35; p < 0.002). There was no relationship between follicular fluid leptin or soluble leptin receptor levels and pretreatment serum hormone levels, stimulated serum estradiol, follicle number, oocyte quality, fertilization, or embryo grade.


CONCLUSIONS
The data demonstrate that leptin and the soluble leptin receptor are highly interrelated with each other and with other intrafollicular hormones, but not with markers of oocyte quality, fertilization, or embryo grade.
Welt
Corrine K
CK
Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. cwelt@partners.org
Schneyer
Alan L
AL
Heist
Kathleen
K
Mantzoros
Christos S
CS
D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
C515448:LEPR protein, human; D020738:Leptin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D054411:Receptors, Leptin