Serum and follicular fluid leptin levels in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization cycle.
OBJECTIVE
To determine serum and follicular fluid leptin levels in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for an in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle and their possible correlation to COH variables.


METHODS
Large university-based IVF unit.


METHODS
16 consecutive patients undergoing our routine IVF long gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-analog protocol. INTERVENTIONS AIND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood was drawn three times during the COH cycle: 1) day on which adequate suppression was obtained (Day-S); 2) day of or prior to human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration (Day-hCG); and 3) day of ovum pick-up (Day-OPU). Levels of sex steroids and serum and follicular fluid leptin were compared among the three time points. Serum leptin was measured with a commercial two-site immunoradiometric assay.


RESULTS
Results showed significantly higher levels of serum leptin on Day-OPU and Day-hCG than on Day-S, and significantly higher follicular than serum leptin levels on Day-OPU. Though a significant correlation was observed between serum leptin and body mass index (BMI), no correlations were found between serum or follicular fluid leptin and serum sex-steroid levels or IVF treatment variables.


CONCLUSIONS
While serum leptin increases during COH for IVF, there is apparently no correlation of serum and follicular leptin levels with sex-steroid levels or IVF outcome.
Chen
R
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
Fisch
B
B
Ben-Haroush
A
A
Kaplan
B
B
Hod
M
M
Orvieto
R
R
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011446:Prospective Studies
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D006728:Hormones; D020738:Leptin