This study was carried out to investigate the influence of leptin in obese
female rats and obese women on female reproductive function and fertility.
Our study included four groups; group I (female rats received low fat
diet), group II (female rats received high fat diet), group III (lean infertile
females) and group IV (obese infertile females). Sera of female rats and women
were assayed for detection levels of leptin, FSH, LH, estradiol (E2) and
testosterone. Results of this study showed that obese female rats and obese
infertile women had significantly higher levels of leptin, LH, E2 & testosterone
and significantly lower levels
i
of FSH compared with female rats received low
fat diet and lean infertile women.
In obese females the increased leptin levels may be increasing peripheral
aromatization of androgen to estrogen, also increased leptin levels can be
increasing testosterone levels by decreasing SHBG. As regards the effect of
increased leptin levels on decreasing FSH levels, may be occurring by direct
negative central effect. The increased LH levels in obese females may be
attributed to direct positive central effect of increased leptin. Increased LH/FSH
ratio unfavorable for folliculogensis, leading to infertility. |
