The Effect of Serum Leptin Level on Subfertility in Patients with Polycystic Ovaries at Different Body Weight Groups in Al-Najaf Province

Abstract

Background: Subfertility is defined as a disease where couples cannot conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse. Adipose tissue is a functional endocrine-like organ that secretes various adipokines (mainly leptin); these adipokines control a wide range of different systematic reactions. Leptin was believed to be released by different cell types (mainly by ad-ipocytes), controlling energy stores and reflecting body fat stores. Elevated serum level of leptin was found to impair oocyte development especially in females with polycystic ovaries Aim of the study: Determine the association between serum leptin level and subfertility in women with polycystic ovaries. Material and methods: A case-control study was done during the period from September 2020 to January 2021. The study includes 88 women, their ages ranging from 18-40, and their BMI ranging between (18.5-40) Kg/m². Forty-four women were subfertile with polycystic ovaries, and the other 44 women are fertile with normal ovarian texture. For both groups, lep-tin levels were measured.Result: There is a significant association (p ≤ 0.05) between serum leptin levels and subfertili-ty, especially in obese females presented with polycystic ovaries compared to the females with normal ovarian texture (control group). This reveals the intimate relationship between impaired reproductive function and increase body fat content that are mainly related to poly-cystic nature of the ovaries.Conclusions: The significant association between serum leptin levels and reproductive capaci-ty in females with polycystic ovaries at different bodyweight groups points to the important function of this adipokine in regulating female fertility.