Leptin and leptin-binding activity in women with recurrent miscarriage: correlation with pregnancy outcome

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) 2001-09, Vol.16 (9), p.2008-2013
• Main Authors: Laird, S.M., Quinton, N.D., Anstie, B., Li, T.C., Blakemore, A.I.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abortion, Habitual - blood; Abortion, Spontaneous - blood; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Carrier Proteins - blood; Diseases of mother, fetus and pregnancy; Female; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Labor, Obstetric; leptin; Leptin - blood; leptin-binding activity; Medical sciences; Osmolar Concentration; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Leptin; recurrent miscarriage
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/humrep/16.9.2008

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.