The influence of leptin on the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol in girls during puberty was longitudinally studied. Two hundred and twenty-seven healthy girls aged from 8.8 to 15.4 years were included in the study. After physical examination, girls were divided into four groups according to pubertal development. Body fat was assessed using body mass index and the sum of three skin folds: at the triceps site, subscapular site and on abdomen. Serum concentration of leptin, FSH and estradiol were assessed by RIA methods.
Results: The mean serum concentration of leptin, FSH and estradiol increase progressively throughout puberty. Leptin strongly correlates with the thicknesses of the skin folds and BMI but small significant positive correlations were found between leptin and FSH as well between leptin and estradiol.