INCREASE IN SERUM LEPTIN CONCENTRATIONS IN WOMEN UNDERGOING CONTROLLED OVARIAN HYPERSTIMULATION FOR ASSISTED REPRODUCTION

The ob gene product might influence the hypothalamopituitary axis and ovarian function directly via specific ovarian receptors. Premenopausa l women have higher leptin concentrations compared to postmenopausal c ontrols. In this study, we determined changes in leptin serum concentr ations under the influence of supraphysiological estradiol levels duri ng controlled ovarian hyperstimulation In a prospective study of 20 pa tients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic spe rm injection (ICSI), morning blood samples were collected to determine leptin and estradiol concentrations on day 3 and day 9 of the stimula tion cycle and on alternate days until ovulation induction. There was a significant increase in serum leptin concentrations from day 3 to cl ay 9 (9.87 +/- 1.5 ng/ml on day 3 and 13.8 +/- 2. 1 ng/ml on day 9 res pectively). No further increase in leptin was observed until the day o f ovulation induction. These data further underline the role of leptin as a hormone of reproduction.