Abstract
Objective
To explore the status of serum leptin levels in various phases of menstrual cycle
in females of child bearing age.
Methods
This observational study was carried out at Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad
in which serum leptin level of 83 females of reproductive age in various phases of
female monthly cycle was measured, after taking an informed written consent.
Results
Mean serum leptin level of women during follicular phase was 54.6±33.4 ng/ml
and luteal phase 53.5±38.8 ng/ml as assessed from last menstrual period
(p=0.253). Serum Leptin level was found to be significantly higher in normal
weight women during follicular phase (37.3±24.8 ng/ml) as compared to normal
weight women in luteal phase (24.5±14.3 ng/ml) with p value 0.040. In overweight
females, no significant difference was found between serum leptin level during
follicular phase (78.84±29.07 ng/ml) and luteal phase (81.4±34.2 ng/ml), with p
value 0.369.
Conclusion
We found no significant change in serum leptin level during follicular and luteal
phases of menstrual cycles in healthy females. (Rawal Med J 2009;34: ).

Key words: Key words: Leptin, menstrual cycle, follicular, luteal.