Leptin and leptin-receptor polymorphisrns in fertile and infertile men

Abstract

The association of leptin (LEP) -2548G/A and/or leptin receptor (LEPR) Gln223Arg polyrnorphisms with male infertility and plasma FSH, LH and testosterone (T) levels was examined: The genotypes and allele frequency distributions of LEP -2548G/A and LEPR Gln223Arg polymorphisms were investigated in 150 fertile and 150 infertile men by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Also, plasma levels of FSH, LH, and T were measured using commercial ELISA kits. Frequencies of AA, AG and GG genotypes of LEP-2548G/A polymorphism were statistically different in fertile and infertile men (0=0.012). The AG genotype showed a protective effect which could decrease risk of male:infertility about 3 fold (p = 0.004).,We did not observe any differences infrequencies of LEPR Gln223Arg alleles and genotypes between groups (p > .0.05). Sperm counts from infertile men with the AG and GG genotypes of the LEP polymorphism were significantly higher than AA genotype (p<0.05). Moreover, infertile men who carried the RR genotype of LEPR showed a statistically higher percentage of sperm with progressive motility than individuals with other genotypes (p = 0:004). There was no correlation between different combinations of LEP and LEPR genotypes and LH, FSH; and I levels (0 > 0.05). Our study suggests that the LEP -2548G/A polymorphism may play a role in male fertility and the AG genotype may have a protective effect through increasing sperm counts. The distribution of genotypes of LEP -2548G/A polymorphism are different in fertile and infertile males and, may be a useful,tool in evaluation of male infertility.