SERUM LEPTIN CONCENTRATIONS IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC-OVARY-SYNDROME

The role of gonadotropins, androgens, and insulin in the regulation of circulating leptin levels is obscure. In order to clarify the relatio nships of these parameters we studied serum leptin levels in 19 health y control subjects and in 35 hyperandrogenic and hyperinsulinemic pati ents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Serum leptin concentration s did not differ significantly between PCOS patients and control subje cts. When PCOS and control groups were analyzed together by univariate analysis, serum leptin was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), bodyweight, serum insulin, serum triglyceride, and serum free testosterone concentrations. Serum leptin was inversely correlated wit h serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations. There were no significant correlations between serum leptin and testosterone, an drostenedione, or gonadotropin concentrations. Serum insulin, triglyce ride, and free testosterone concentrations were positively correlated, and serum SHBG was negatively correlated with BMI. However, when BMI on one hand and serum insulin, triglyceride, free testosterone, or SHB G on other hand were used as independent variables in the partial corr elation analysis with leptin, BMI turned out to be the variable primar ily responsible for all of the correlations with leptin. In conclusion , the concept that circulating leptin levels would be different in PCO S patients than in regularly menstruating control subjects is not supp orted by our data.