Correlation of serum leptin and ghrelin levels with endocrine and reproductive parameters in women with clomiphene citrate resistant polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in serum ghrelin and leptin levels in patients with clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients who could not achieve ovulation or pregnancy despite using 150 mg/day of clomiphene citrate (CC) participated in the study. Thirty-five patients who were compatible with the study group in terms of age and body mass index (BMI) but did not have clinical and laboratory findings of PCOS constituted the control group. On the third day of the cycle, in addition to the basal hormone profile, ghrelin and leptin levels were also measured. Patients in both groups went to IVF/ICSI. Basal hormone values, leptin, ghrelin, metabolic, demographic parameters, and clinical pregnancy rates were correlated. RESULTS: Patients in both groups were recorded to be similar in terms of age (29.4±0.11 vs 28.5±7.30), BMI (24.3±3.07 vs 23.8±1.55), and infertility time (6.14±4.30 vs 6.03±1.28). Serum ghrelin levels of the PCOS group were significantly lower than the control group (0.48±2.21 vs 1.19±4.02) Serum leptin levels of the PCOS group were significantly higher than the control patients (45.6±304 vs 16.5±0.32). Serum leptin levels and BMI (r=0.65, p<0.01) A positive correlation was found between luteinizing hormone (LH) (r=0.53, p<0.02), and insulin resistance (r=0.74, p<0.03). There was a negative (r=-0.76, p<0.03) correlation between serum ghrelin and LH. A positive and significant correlation was found between serum ghrelin, testosterone, mature oocyte, and implantation rates. CONCLUSION: Serum ghrelin correlates with fertility outcomes in women with CC-resistant PCOS undergoing IVF/ICSI.