Investigation of Leptin Status and Some Biochemical Parameters for Infertile Women in Gaza Palestine

Abstract

Background: The size of body fat stores is known to influence fertility, indicating a link between adipose tissue and the reproductive system. Thus adipocyte-derived hormone, leptin (Ob protein), is a possible mediator of this effect. Objective: To investigate leptin hormone status among infertile women of unknown causes in Gaza Strip. Methodology: The study is a case control and carried out in Specialized Medical Centers in Gaza Strip. A total of 40 women with primary infertility were interviewed to fill questionnaire and blood analysis was performed. Moreover, forty fertile women were served as controls and has been selected on the basis of being married, having children and matching the case in age and residence. SPSS system was used to analyze the data. Results: The mean ages of controls and patients were 28.2 ± 5.2 and 28.7 ± 5.1 years old; the mean body mass index (BMI) were 24.7 and 26.9 kg/m2 , respectively. The mean serum leptin levels were increased significantly in the unexplained infertile group compared with the fertile one, 19.1 versus 14.0 ng/ml , respectively (P=0.04). Moreover the serum FSH and LH were increased in patients compared to controls (8.90±5.03 v 5.09±3.13 mlU/ ml, P=0.000) and (7.72±4.77 v 6.53±4.55 mlU/ml, P=0.261), respectively. Leptin was positively correlated with BMI (r=0.776 and P=0.000) among the study population. Its correlation with FSH and LH were not observed (P>0.05). Conclusion: A significant difference in serum leptin levels between unexplained infertile and fertile women suggests that this cytokine hormone is involved in pathophysiology of unexplained infertility. In contrast, no significant correlation was observed between the leptin and gonadotropic hormones which suggest the physiological concentration of serum leptin does not directly influence FSH and LH production at hypothalamic level or secretion at anterior pituitary level.