Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY.ROR
The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of leptin on reproductive hormones and ovulation.
Study Design
The BioCycle Study (2005-2007) followed 259 healthy premenopausal women not using hormonal contraceptives for ≤2 menstrual cycles (n = 509 cycles). Serum leptin, estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone were measured ≤8 times per cycle. The association of time-varying leptin and reproductive hormones over the cycle was estimated with the use of linear mixed models that were adjusted for percent body fat and age with inverse probability weighting for time-varying physical activity, caloric intake, and other reproductive hormones. The odds ratio for sporadic anovulation (n = 42 cycles) was estimated with the use of generalized linear models that were adjusted for percent body fat and age.
Results
Geometric mean serum leptin levels increased from menses to the late luteal phase (16.7-20.4 ng/mL; P < .01), with a mid-cycle peak (21.7 ng/mL) at the time of the LH surge (P < .01). A 10% higher leptin level across the menstrual cycle was associated with higher estradiol levels (2.2%; 95% CI, 1.5-3.0), luteal progesterone levels (2.1%; 95% CI, 0.5-3.7), ovulatory LH levels (1.2%; 95% CI, 0-2.3), testosterone levels (0.6%; 95% CI, 0.3-0.9), and lower follicle-stimulating hormone levels (-0.7%; 95% CI, -1.1 to -0.4). Leptin at the time of the expected LH surge was moderately inversely associated with sporadic anovulation (per log increase in leptin; adjusted odds ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.28-1.22).
Conclusion
The association that was observed between leptin level and reproductive function points to a possible relationship between serum leptin level and enhanced fertility.
serum leptin reproductive function menstrual cycle, leptin ovulation association premenopausal, leptin estradiol progesterone interaction, BioCycle Study leptin hormones, adipokine reproductive hormone regulation, leptin follicular luteal phase, metabolic hormone ovarian function, body composition reproductive endocrinology, leptin menstrual cycle physiology
PMID 24215851 24215851 DOI 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.11.009 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.11.009
Cite this article
Ahrens, K., Mumford, S. L., Schliep, K. C., Kissell, K. A., Perkins, N. J., Wactawski-Wende, J., & Schisterman, E. F. (2014). Serum leptin levels and reproductive function during the menstrual cycle. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 210(3), 248.e1-248.e2489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2013.11.009
Ahrens K, Mumford SL, Schliep KC, Kissell KA, Perkins NJ, Wactawski-Wende J, et al. Serum leptin levels and reproductive function during the menstrual cycle. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014;210(3):248.e1-248.e2489. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.11.009
Ahrens, K., et al. "Serum leptin levels and reproductive function during the menstrual cycle." American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, vol. 210, no. 3, 2014, pp. 248.e1-248.e2489.
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