Serum leptin level in women with unexplained infertility.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to compare serum levels of leptin in women with unexplained infertility with fertile subjects.


METHODS
Serum leptin levels of 27 infertile and 30 fertile women on day 3 of the menstrual cycle were assessed and compared in this prospective age and body mass index (BMI) comparable controlled study.


RESULTS
The mean age in the infertile group was 29.3 (range, 23-38), while this figure was 28.9 (range, 19-39) in the fertile group; the mean BMIs were 24.5 (range, 20.6-27.8) and 25.0 (range, 21.8-28.7), respectively. The mean serum leptin level was significantly higher in women with unexplained infertility compared with fertile subjects. Considering normal weight subjects, mean serum leptin levels were increased significantly in the unexplained infertile group compared with the fertile group (7.2 (range, 4.3-10.4) versus 3.5 (range, 1.9-6.2)ng/ml, respectively; p<0.0001, Mann-Whitney U-test). The significant increase in serum leptin levels was observed also in overweight patients (6.8 (range, 1.3-5.2) versus 3.3 (range, 4.2-8.9)ng/ml, respectively; p<0.0001, Mann-Whitney U-test).


CONCLUSIONS
A significant difference in serum leptin levels between unexplained infertile and fertile women suggests that this cytokine may be involved in pathophysiology of unexplained infertility.
Demir
Bulent
B
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Health Ministry Ergani Goverment Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Guven
Suleyman
S
Guven
Emie Seda Guvendag
ES
Atamer
Yildiz
Y
Gunalp
G Serdar
GS
Gul
Talip
T
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
D020738:Leptin