To determine whether polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is related to leptin dysregulation, this prospective comparative study was conducted in reproductive endocrinology and fertility care unit (REFCU), at El-Galaa Matenrity Teaching Hospital. Seventy-one women with PCOS (19 nonobese and 52 obese) and 41 control women (11 nonobese and 30 obese) were included in this study. Serum leptin levels were measured in patients with PCOS and controls. Correlation between leptin levels and serum hormone levels (follicle-stimualting hormone, luteinizing hormone, free testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroeopinadrosterone-sulfate and fasting insulin) were studied. Mean serum leptin levels were not significantly higher in patients with PCOS compared to the control groups. Leptin levels were found to be significantly higher in obese subgroups both in patients with PCOS and the control women. Leptin levels were found to be higher in obese patients with PCOS compared to obese controls; however, when the levels were evaluated again with co-variance analysis excluding body mass index (BMI), there was no statistically significant differences. Leptin levels had a positive correlation with BMI, both in patients with PCOS and the controls. In conclusions, leptin levels were not higher in patients with PCOS compared to the control group. Leptin levels were correlated with the amount of fat tissue not only in patients with PCOS but also in healthy women. |
