Abstract
BACKGROUND: Various studies have been conducted on the role of leptin in the different types of infertility, including endometriosis, polycystic ovaries and male infertility; however, only a few studies have been conducted on the effect of leptin on unexplained infertility. The purpose of the present study was therefore to compare serum leptin levels in women with unexplained infertility and fertile women as a contributing factor to female infertility in Iran. METHODS: The present case-control study was conducted on 40 women with unexplained infertility and 30 fertile women who met the inclusion criteria (FSH < 10, BMI < 30, normal AMH and AFC and age under 35). Serum leptin levels were analyzed on the third day of menstruation by ELISA method. RESULTS: Although the mean serum leptin level was higher in women with unexplained infertility (31.20 ± 2.83 ng/ml) than in fertile women (24.89 ± 2.93 ng/ml), no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups (P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant relationship was found between serum leptin levels in the two groups. In addition, there were no significant relationships between leptin and other predisposing factors such as hormone profile and antral follicle count.