Role of Serum Leptin Levels in Women with Primary Subfertility

Subfertility significantly affects couples and their families and challenges obstetrics and gynecologists with long-term treatment. Leptin has been widely studied in different types of infertility. However, the results of previous studies are contradictory and the role of leptin is still debated in the reproductive process. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum leptin concentration and some reproductive hormones and endometrial thickness in women with primary subfertility. The present case-control study was conducted from December 2020 to July 2021. A total of 100 women with primary subfertility and 100 fertile women participated in this study as a control group. Blood samples were collected and ultrasonography examinations were performed on all patients. The recorded data indicated that the mean leptin level was higher in women with subfertility compared to that of the control group, 26.8±15.2 ng/mL and 6.4±2.3 ng/mL, respectively (P<0.001). Leptin level significantly increased with a higher body mass index (P<0.001). Leptin at a level of 11 ng/ml or higher is a significant predictor of infertility (odds ratio=2.793). Leptin levels showed high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 96%, 98%, and 96.9%, respectively as predictors of subfertility. As a result, a high leptin level was a strong and valid predictor of subfertility.