CORRELATION BETWEEN LEPTIN, INSULIN AND POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a heterogeneous, complex genetic trait of unclear etiology, is an important cause of ovulatory and menstrual irregularity, subfertility and infertility, clinically evident hyperandrogenism, and metabolic dysfunction in women. It is recognized as one of the most common endocrine/metabolic disorders of women. \nObjective: To investigate the serum levels of insulin and leptin in and their correlation with the endocrine and metabolic peculiarities of PCOS. \nPatients and methods: This study was carried out on 100 females attending the outpatient clinic of Al Azhar University Hospital seeking conception assistance during the period between April 2019 and august 2020. All women were in the reproductive age group, had primary infertility and diagnosed as having PCOS according to Rotterdam criteria. All patients included within this study were classified under two equal groups: Patient group included women having PCOS, and control group include normal fertile healthy women received no hormonal medication during the last 3 months preceding the study. \nResults: The biochemical laboratory investigation, including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) showed no statistically significant difference between control and patient groups. In contrast, the serum levels of LH/ FSH, free testosterone, fasting insulin and leptin in the patient group showed a significant increase as compared with the control group. Serum leptin level was found to be significantly elevated in overweight and obese patients. No significant differences in serum leptin were noted in normal weight patients. Similarly, serum insulin level was significantly higher in overweight and obese patients compared to overweight and obese control group. The serum leptin levels were plotted against Body mass index (BMI) in both control and patient group, significant correlations were observed. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between serum leptin and serum insulin levels. \nConclusion: Women with PCOS have altered leptin and insulin levels which were distinct differences between ovulating and non-ovulating women with PCOS. Also, there were significant differences in the levels of serum leptin levels and insulin levels between normal and overweight/obese women with PCOS.