Human Reproduction, Vol. 16, No. 9, 2008-2013,
September 2001
© 2001 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Leptin and leptin-binding activity in women with recurrent miscarriage: correlation with pregnancy outcome
1 Division of Biomedical Sciences/Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Sheffield S1 1WB, 2 Biomedical Research Unit, Jessop Hospital for Women, Leavygreave Road, Sheffield S3 7RE, UK4
BACKGROUND: Previous studies in humans and mice have suggested the importance of leptin in fetal growth. Recurrent miscarriage may be a result of abnormal placental and/or fetal development and therefore abnormal leptin levels may be associated with this form of pregnancy loss. METHODS: Leptin and leptin-binding activity (LBA) were measured in blood obtained from women who had a history of recurrent miscarriage (n = 53) during weeks 5–6 and 7–8 of pregnancy, and the concentrations were correlated with subsequent pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: Concentrations of leptin ranged from 1.4–62.8 ng/ml, but there was a strong correlation (r = 0.825, P < 0.001) between leptin values at weeks 5–6 and 7–8 in the same woman. Women who subsequently miscarried had significantly lower plasma leptin concentrations on both weeks 5–6 (13.34 ± 2.1 ng/ml) (P < 0.05) and 7–8 (13.71 ± 2.4 ng/ml) (P < 0.01) of pregnancy, than women who subsequently had a term birth (22.04 ± 2.43 ng/ml week 5–6, 24.76 ± 3.66 ng/ml week 7–8). LBA values ranged from 1–8.5% but there was no significant difference in LBA in blood obtained from women who subsequently miscarried or had a live birth. CONCLUSIONS: The significantly lower concentrations of leptin in women who subsequently miscarried suggest that leptin may play a role in preventing miscarriage. However, as there was a considerable overlap between the values of leptin in women who subsequently miscarried, and those that had a live birth, these measurements are of limited use in the prediction of pregnancy outcome in these women.
Key words: leptin/leptin-binding activity/pregnancy outcome/recurrent miscarriage
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Division of Biomedical Sciences/Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK. E-mail: s.m.laird{at}shu.ac.uk
4 Current address: Department of Medical and Community Genetics, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Kennedy-Galton Centre, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow HA1 UJ, UK
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