Leptin restores energy homeostasis and regulates appetite and body weight by communicating the energy status to the central nervous system. Although there is strong evidence that leptin affects reproduction, its role in the control of reproductive physiology is little understood. We studied leptin concentrations in the serum and follicular fluid of 65 women undergoing ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Fasting serum samples were collected (1) on the 3rd day of the cycle before IVF and (2) at the time of oocyte retrieval. Serum concentrations of leptin, estradiol (E2), progesterone, FSH, LH, prolactin, total testosterone, DHEA- SO4, and TSH and follicular fluid concentrations of leptin, E2, and progesterone were measured. Serum leptin values increased on average by 66.4% over basal leptin levels on the day of oocyte pick- up (OPU). A positive correlation between leptin increase and body mass index was observed. The serum leptin level was similar to that in follicular fluid o the day of OPU. E2 levels increased 34.5- fold with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. There was a negative correlation between the increase in leptin levels and in E2 levels (P < 0.05) and in the number of oocytes harvested (P < 0.05). The significant increase in serum leptin levels during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation indicates a possible role of leptin in reproductive function. The increase in leptin levels is negatively correlated with ovarian response evaluated by E2 production and number of oocytes retrieved. This might be due to the reduced ovarian response through negative feedback of leptin to the ovaries at high levels.
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