Follicular fluid leptin as a marker for pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing IVF treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Leptin is a hormone secreted mainly by the adipocytes with an essential role in the regulation of body weight. It acts on the reproductive axis at different sites, with stimulatory effects at the hypothalamus and pituitary and inhibitory interactions at the gonads. To investigate the influence of leptin on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing IVF, we undertook a systematic review. A search of PubMed from 1966 to 2018 identified ten studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Outcomes were BMI, serum leptin level at hCG injection, serum and follicular fluid leptin level at the oocyte pick up, and serum 17β-oestradiol level at oocyte pick up time, oocytes retrieved and embryo transfer number. Results indicated that follicular fluid leptin concentrations at the oocyte pick up were significantly lower in women who became pregnant compared to those who did not (MD = −4.53 (ng/ml); 95% CI: −7.78, −1.78; p value < 0.006). In conclusion, elevated leptin concentrations in follicular fluid at oocyte pick up time is significantly associated with an adverse pregnancy outcome in women undergoing an IVF programme.