Relationship between leptin and oestrogens in healthy women

The fluctuation in leptin levels during the menstrual cycle observed in study 1 (serum leptin concentrations were measured on days 3, 10, 17 and 24 of the menstrual cycle in 18 healthy, lean, regularly menstruating women, aged 18-35 years. Serum oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone. Delta4-androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS). LH and FSH concentrations were also determined) is compatible with the hypothesis of a stimulatory effect of oestrogen on leptin secretion. The results of study 2 (serum leptin and oestradiol levels were measured on the 5th and 7th day of ovarian stimulation with human FSH (225 IU daily) during an in vitro fertilisation programme for infertility in 20 women aged 25-45 years) support the hypothesis of a relevant role for oestrogen in the regulation of leptin secretion. Leptin fluctuations during the menstrual cycle are consistent with reported perimenstrual variations in food craving and consumption.