Evaluation of leptin levels in serum and seminal plasma of fertile and infertile males

Lleptin is the protein product of Ob gene, which is mainly expressed from the adipose tissue and regulates the weight homeostasis of the body. There are few documents related with the action of leptin on male reproduction. Up to date, leptin has been affiliated with the differantion and proliferation of the male germ cells, providing the fuel needed for the capacitation of the spermatozoas and the development of the motility of the germ cells. Our goal was to measure the quantity of leptin in serum and seminal plasma of the fertile and infertile men and to asses if there were any significant differences between them. Totally 23 male volunteers, consisting 13 infertile and 10 fertile with respect to standard semen analysis, were included in our study. Both venous blood and semen samples were taken and serum from the venous blood, seminal plasma from the semen samples were obtained. Serum leptin values are higher in fertile men with respect to the infertile group, which is statistically significant. On the other hand seminal plasma values between the fertile and infertile men are not different which are also statistically approved. Consequently, low levels of leptin in serum of the control group does not support the cocept of compansatory increase of leptin in the males who has spermatogenetic dysfunction. The ambiguity of leptin levels in seminal plasma is also not leading us to the source of leptin deficiency.