Correlation between leptin and leptin binding activity in women with recurrent miscarriage and pregnancy outcome

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine plasma leptin and leptin binding activity [LBA] concentrations during the first trimester in women who had a history of at least three miscarriages and correlate their levels with the subsequent outcome for these pregnant women. Prospective selective study. Al zahraa university antenatal outpatient clinic from March 2002 till October 2004. The study was conducted on 43 pregnant women who had a history of recurrent first trimester miscarriage, plasma leptin and leptin-binding activity [LBA] were measured during weeks 5-6 and 7-8 of pregnancy, and the concentrations were correlated with subsequent pregnancy outcome. Concentrations of leptin ranged from 1.4-62.8 ng/ml, but there was a strong correlation [r = 0.820, P < 0.001] between leptin values at week 5-6 and 7-8 in the same woman. Women who subsequently miscarried had significantly lower plasma leptin concentrations on both weeks 5-6 [13.32 +/- 2.2 ng/ml] [P < 0.05] and 7-8 [13.72 +/- 2.3 ng/ml] [P <0.01] of pregnancy, than women who subsequently had a term birth [22.06 +/- 3.68 ng/ml] at week 5-6, and [24.74 +/- 3.66 ng/ml] at 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. 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