Human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-R) promoter/enhancer activity is inhibited by transcriptional factors, from the upstream stimulating factors family, via E-box and newly identified initiator element (Inr) in FSH-R non-expressing cells.

To localize the regulatory elements in the human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-R) promoter/enhancer and to determine the role of upstream stimulatingfactors (USFs) in these elements, we transiently transfected constructs of FSH-R promoter/enhancer in pGL3 luciferase reporter plasmids into Chinese hamster ovary cells and the activities were determined by measuring luciferase luminescence of the cell lysates. The 5'-flanking regions of the human FSH-R gene from nt -1485 to -1 with respect to the gene translation start site were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subcloned in pGL3. Deletion mutants were created using PCR or restriction enzyme digestion. Mutation in the E-box sequence from nt -124 to -119 (E-box 3), in the construct from -224 to nt -1 or in the Inr element, which encompasses the transcriptional start site at nt -99, resulted in a substantial reduction in the human FSH-R promoter/enhancer activity. Overexpression of upstream stimulating factor-1 (USF1) suppresses the activity of the human FSH-R promoter/enhancer via Inr and E-box elements. Upstream stimulating factor-2 (USF2) decreases FSH-R promoter/enhancer activity by acting on E-box 3. The results indicate that E-box 3 and the Inr element are important elements of the human FSH-R promoter/ enhancer. USF family members inhibit FSH-R gene activity by acting via these elements. USF1 and USF2 suppress human FSH-R promoter/enhancer activity by acting on E-box 3. USF1 also decreases activity by interacting with the Inr element.

Immunohistochemical analysis of MIB-1 proliferative activity in human endometrial cancer. Correlation with clinicopathological parameters, patient outcome, retinoblastoma immunoreactivity and K-ras codon 12 point mutations.

To test the prognostic utility of MIB-1 in human endometrial neoplasias, the proliferative activities of fifty-two endometrial carcinomas obtained from Polish women were assessed. We also investigated the relationship between the MIB-1 Proliferative Index and the well-known clinicopathological features of cancer (clinical stage, histological type, histological grade, depth of myometrial invasion), patient's age, overall survival, retinoblastoma immunostaining and K-ras codon 12 point mutations. The mean MIB-1 Proliferation Index was 43.8%, with a median of 36.0%. Due to the great intratumour heterogeneity of the immunoreaction, the Index ranged from 0% to 98%. A significant relationship was noted between MIB-1 expression and histological grading (p = 0.0004) and myometrial invasion of cancer (p = 0.01). Multivariate Cox regression demonstrated that the clinical stage was the only independent prognostic factor during follow-up (p = 0.025). There was a tendency towards a poorer outcome for women with a Proliferative Index of > 31% than for patients whose Index was < or = 31%; the difference, however, did not reach significance (p = 0.25; log-rank test). Interestingly, uterine cancers lacking retinoblastoma protein expression had a mean MIB-1 Proliferation Index that was nearly twice as high as in those neoplasias that stained positively for retinoblastoma (70.33% and 42.14%, respectively; p = 0.09; Mann-Whitney-U test). There were no significant differences between K-ras codon 12 point mutation-positive and -negative endometrial carcinomas regarding the proliferative activity of the cancer (mean Indexes 47.6% and 43.8%, respectively; p = 0.66, Mann-Whitney-U test). Our data support the view that MIB-1 proliferative activity was significantly increased with a decrease of the histological grading and with the myometrial invasion of human endometrial cancer.

[Surgical treatment of intrapelvic endometriosis]. / Operacyjne leczenie endometriozy narzadu plciowego kobiety.

The paper is a review of the surgical treatment of women intrapelvic endometriosis with attention to the extent of the intervention, the selection of appropriate procedure and employment different techniques and innovations in surgical therapy. Principles of the management of deep infiltrating endometriosis, methods of relieve the pelvic pain and the prevention of postoperative adhesion are also discussed.

K-ras exon 2 point mutations in human endometrial cancer.

In the present study, we screened for the K-ras exon 2 point mutations in a group of 87 gynecological neoplasms (82 endometrial carcinomas, four carcinomas of the uterine cervix and one uterine carcinosarcoma) using the non-isotopic PCR-SSCP-direct sequencing techniques. Direct sequencing analysis revealed CAA-->CAC (Gln-->His) K-ras codon 61 point mutations in two (2.4%) of the 82 endometrial carcinomas mentioned above. These two cases were endometrial endometrioid carcinomas at an early clinical stage of disease (stage IB and IC due to FIGO). Those endometrial carcinomas that showed K-ras exon 2 point mutations revealed a strong positivity for heterogeneous nuclear retinoblastoma protein staining; none of these, however, have had the K-ras codon 12 point mutation. In addition, there were no K-ras gene point mutations in three endometrial carcinomas lacking the Rb protein immunohistochemically. None of the cervical carcinomas tested had K-ras gene point mutations, whereas one carcinosarcoma harbored K-ras codon 61 point mutation (CAA-->CAC). In conclusion, our data support the view that K-ras exon 2 point mutations are rare events in human endometrial cancer. Rb and K-ras gene abnormalities may occur independently of each other during endometrial carcinogenesis in humans.

[Luteal and follicular phase inhibin A and B in regularly cycling women]. / Inhibina A oraz inhibina B fazy follikularnej oraz lutealnej cyklu u kobiet w piatej dekadzie zycia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of inhibin A nad B in luteal and follicular phase in women of reproductive age. PATIENTS: Seventy women 39-52 years of age with regular menstrual cycle. INTERVENTIONS: Blood samples obtained on days 3-8 and on days 22-25 of menstrual cycle were assayed for FSH, estradiol, inhibin A, inhibin B. RESULTS: Luteal and follicular phase inhibin B was correlated inversely with age. Luteal phase inhibin A was correlated inversely with follicular phase FSH. CONCLUSION: Main form of inhibin in follicular phase of the cycle is inhibin B and in luteal phase inhibin A. Inhibin B can be potential marker of ovarian aging.

[Differences in human and rat FSH receptors promote activity as a result of the transcriptional factors: E2F1, E2F4 and E2F5 overexpression]. / Zmiany w aktywnosci promotora genu receptora FSH czlowieka i szczura pod wplywem czynników transkrypcyjnych E2F1, E2F4 i E2F5.

UNLABELLED: FSH-R expression in granulosa cells varies during the course of ovarian ontogenesis, as well as, during each menstrual cycle. Expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptors (FSH-R) on Sertoli cells of the testis and ovarian granulosa cells depend on many paracrine and autocrine factors. The modulation of FSH-R synthesis is accomplished via a number of mechanisms including regulation of the promoter activity. Little is known about factors involved in control of FSH-R transcription in different species. The aim of the present study was to investigate differences in the regulation of human and rat FSH-R promoter activity by E2F transcriptional factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 5'-flanking regions of human and rat FSH receptor gene subcloned in the pGL3 plasmid were transiently transfected into cultured CHO cells and rat granulosa cells. Rat granulosa cells were obtained by puncturing ovaries from DES primed immature Sprague-Dawley rats. Promoter activity was determined by measuring firefly luciferase luminescence of the cell lysate. Transfection efficiency was normalized by the renilla luciferase activity generated by co-transfected pRL-CMV vector. In order to determine the influence of E2F1, E2F4 and E2F5, on FSH-R promoter activity, cells were transfected either with promoter construct alone or with its mixture with selected expression vector. RESULTS: Rat FSH-R promoter construct (-1033/+6 bp) and human FSH-R promoter construct (-1485/-1 bp) were both active in transfected cells. Overexpression of E2F1 protein decreased both, human and rat wild type FSH-R promoter activity. Overexpression of E2F4 did not affect neither rat nor human FSH-R gene transcription. Expression vector for E2F5 increased both, human and rat, FSH-R promoter activity. Folds of increase were markedly higher in case of rat FSH-R construct transfection, comparing to human FSH-R promoter. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest, that the E2F1 and E2F5 factors might play an opposite role in the regulation of FSH-R promoter activity. More pronounced stimulatory effect of E2F5 on the rat FSH-R can be explained by the presence of E2F site in the promoter. Since there is no E2F sensitive element in the human FSH-R promoter sequence, E2F1 and E2F5 can also indirectly influence FSH-R promoter activity.

[Stromal leydig cell tumor coexisting with ascites]. / Leydigioma jajnika--przypadek guza powiklany wodobrzuszem.

The stromal Leydig cell tumour (SLCT), a very rare, benign neoplasm was described in 75-year old woman. The patient presented the typical signs of virilisation (hirsutism, masculine alopecia, moderate clitoris enlargement, deep voice) as well as hypertension and insulin independent type of diabetes mellitus (IIDM). Additionally, she had marked ascites (3400 ml as established during surgery). The serum concentration of testosterone before the surgery was elevated up to 7.6 ng/ml. FSH and LH were at very low range (2.5 mIU/ml, 3.4 mIU/ml, respectively) whereas 17 beta-oestradiol was elevated (56 pg/ml). Total abdominal hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH/BSO) and omentectomy were performed. The histopathological findings revealed stromal Leydig cell tumour with Reinke crystalloids. The postoperative follow-up was complicated by venous thrombosis. Five weeks after the surgery only slight regression of the signs of virilisation was observed. Hormonal findings were adequate to the patient age range (FSH--16.7 mIU/ml, LH--21.1 mIU/ml, testosterone--0.19 ng/ml, 17 beta-oestradiol concentration below 10 pg/ml).

[Hydrophobic DNA adducts in relationship to estrogen and progesterone receptors content in human uterine cancer]. / Hydrofobowe addukty DNA w relacji do gestosci receptorów estrogenowych i progesteronowego w gruczolakorakach blony sluzowej macicy u kobiet.

OBJECTIVE: Determination of the relationship between hydrophobic DNA adducts (A) and estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor status in uterine cancers. METHODS: Using the P1 enriched version of 32P-postlabeling for hydrophobic DNA adducts detection on polyethyleneimine (PEI) cellulose thin layer chromatograms (TLC) we examined 11 uterine cancer DNAs. The quantification of the adducts was performed by Cerenkov counting of the spots. ER and PR status was recognized histochemically and H-score estimate was performed for each investigated cancer tissue. Patterns of uterine cancer DNA adducts were compared to the maps of adducts recognized in normal human endometrium. RESULTS: In three of the studied uterine cancers there was no positive staining of ER and PR; in one case there was a weak ER staining but PR staining was negative. In ER negative tumors the A level was significantly higher than in ER positive cancers (138.1 +/- 64.1 vs. 49.7 +/- 26.8 adducts per 10(9) nucleotides, respectively, p < 0.05). Highest A levels were found in two ER and PR negative G3 metastatic tumors. Finally, in all investigated cancers there was a strong, inverse correlation between ER content and A level (r = -0.67, p < 0.03). In addition, the correlation between PR level and A was of borderline significance (r = -0.6, p = 0.053). The TLC patterns of adducts in uterine tumors were found to be qualitatively similar, but not quantitatively, to those observed in normal human endometrium DNA. CONCLUSION: The data presented suggest that the hydrophobic DNA adducts could play a role in a sex-steroid hormone independence of human endometrial cancers. The highest accumulation of DNA adducts was recognized in neoplasms displaying the most malignant phenotype.

[Prognostic value of serum MMP-2 level in uterine cancer affected women]. / Prognostyczne znaczenie poziomu MMP-2 w surowicy krwi w przypadku gruczolakoraka blony sluzowej macicy u kobiet.

OBJECTIVES: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) which can degrade type IV collagen is implicated in cancer invasion and metastasis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum MMP-2 level in patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC) and to compare the level with histological grade G1 to G3 in relation to clinical staging I degree-IV degrees as well as myometrial invasion (M. < 1/2, M. > 1/2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 30 patients with EC. MMP-2 serum levels were measured with specific one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay (Amersham Life Science). Statistical analysis was performed by Mann-Whitney test and p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: The statistically elevated enzyme level was observed in patients presenting II degrees-IV degrees clinical stage of EC in comparison to women with I degree stage of this carcinoma. There were no significant correlations between MMP-2 serum levels and grades of histological differentiation as well as depth of myometrium invasion. CONCLUSIONS: MMP-2 serum level is statistically higher in clinically advanced stages of EC. This enzyme seems to be useful in monitoring of therapeutical efficacy or screening for the recurrences of the disease.

[Overall genomic DNA methylation in relation to estrogen]. / Metylacja genomowego DNA w relacji do gestosci receptora estrogenowego i progesteronowego w gruczolakorakach blony sluzowej macicy u kobiet.

Overall genomic DNA methylation was analyzed using enzymatic digestion into nucleotides, 32P postlabeling, two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography on cellulose plates and phosphobioimaging quantitation, in relation to immunohistochemically measured estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status of 15 uterine cancers. Mean 5-methyldeoxycytosine (m5dC) content did not differ between ER-positive and ER-negative neoplasms. Highest values of m5dC were noted both in ER-negative and ER-positive tumors. Additionally, there was no low DNA methylation in ER negative uterine cancer tissues. Decrease of the overall genomic DNA methylation could be related to the increase of ER/PR ratio, however it was not significant in our investigation. The potential role of steroid receptors status in uterine cancer tissue is discussed.

The expression of the gene encoding pro-alpha 1 chain of type I collagen in the skin of premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: The atrophic changes occurring in the skin of postmenopausal women are thought to depend mainly on the oestrogen deficiency secondary to loss of hormonal function of the ovaries. The hypothesis to be tested was whether decreased serum level of oestrogen in these women influences the expression of gene encoding pro-alpha1 chain of type I collagen. STUDY DESIGN: The skin specimens from six premenopausal and six postmenopausal women were taken at the time of surgery. The expression of gene encoding pro-alpha1 chain of type I collagen was estimated using Dot-Blot hybridisation technique. RESULTS: The expression of pro-alpha1 chain of type I collagen gene was shown in all cases. The level of expression was different in each sample and did not depend on ovarian hormonal function. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that atrophic changes in the skin of postmenopausal women probably do not depend on diminished expression of gene encoding pro-alpha1 chain of type I collagen.

Epidermal growth factor receptor immunostaining and epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase activity in proliferative and neoplastic human endometrium.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and EGFR-tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) activity were measured in proliferative (n = 12) and neoplastic (n = 31) human endometrium. Immunoreactivity of EGFR was related to clinicopathological features, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status, and patient outcome. All proliferative and 27 neoplastic specimens expressed the EGFR. Expression of the EGFR was higher in proliferative endometrium than in endometrial cancer (p < 0.0001). ER immunostaining was observed in 19 of the endometrial carcinomas, while PR expression was demonstrated in only 12 neoplastic specimens. EGFR expression was not related to the ER/PR immunostaining in endometrial carcinomas. Clinicopathological features (age, stage, histological type, grade or depth of invasion) and clinical outcome were unrelated to EGFR immunoreactivity. EGFR-TK activity was detected in 29 of 31 endometrial neoplasms with a 9 times higher mean activity in neoplastic than in proliferative endometrial specimens. There was no relationship between the EGFR-TK activity and EGFR immunostaining in human neoplastic endometrium (p = 0.77). A trend towards a poorer outcome of patients with the EGFR-TK activity above 40 pmol/min/mg was observed, but was not statistically significant. These results support the view that the EGFR expression is downregulated in endometrial carcinomas compared to proliferative endometrial specimens.

[Aromatase (P450AROM) mRNA expression in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium and aromatase activity in endometrial cancer tissue culture]. / Ekspresja genu P450AROM w prawidlowym, rozrostowym i nowotworowym endometrium oraz aktywnosc aromatazy w hodowli skrawków raka endometrium.

Aromatase (P450AROM) is the enzyme complex with converts testosterone to estradiol and androstendione to estrone. This enzyme was detected in various normal tissues and uterine pathology such as uterine myoma, endometrial cancer and endometriosis. The aim of the study was to estimate expression of P450AROM messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium, and the ability to convert androstenedione to estrone by endometrial cancer tissue. Normal endometrium was obtained from 16 (12 proliferative phase, 4 secretory phase) regularly cycling women after hysterectomy for myomas, hyperplastic endometrium (n = 5) and endometrial cancer (n = 5) from postmenopausal women. The ability to convert androstenedione to estrone was estimated in 16 cases of endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women. P450AROM mRNA was measured by a quantitative assay based on reverse transcribing the mRNA into cDNA with reverse transcriptase (RT) then amplification of the cDNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mean (+/- SEM) expression of aromatase gene in proliferative endometrium was 84.4 +/- 14.0 pg mRNA/microgram DNA and in secretory endometrium 200.3 +/- 87.8 pg mRNA/microgram DNA. The mean (+/- SEM) P450AROM mRNA expression in endometrial hyperplasia was 92.9 +/- 17.8 pg mRNA/microgram DNA, in endometrial cancer was 14.3 +/- 7.7 pg mRNA/microgram DNA. Androstenedione to estrone conversion in endometrial cancer tissue culture was 252.5 +/- 91 fmol/g tissue/h. Our data confirm that human normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium do express P450AROM mRNA and that aromatase activity is present in endometrial cancer tissue.

Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -3 concentrations in the tunica albuginea, the apical wall of atretic follicles and the corpus luteum of normal human ovaries.

Matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) and -3 (MMP-3) are proteolytic enzymes involved in remodeling the ovarian extracellular matrix throughout the menstrual cycle. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the tissue concentrations of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in the apical wall of atretic follicles (androstenedione/estradiol ratio > 4), tunica albuginea dissected from the ovarian surface overlying areas devoid of follicles, corpus luteum, and tunica albuginea covering the corpus luteum. After extraction of MMPs from the tissue samples, their concentrations in the extracts were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Significantly less MMP-1 was detected in the apical wall of atretic follicles compared to tunica albuginea taken from sites devoid of follicles. These data indicate that atresia is associated with relatively low concentrations of MMP-1 in the apical wall of the follicle. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between the amount of MMP-3 and the diameter of follicle. These data suggest that both MMPs play an important role in the final step of atresia. The amount of MMP-1 in the corpus luteum was several times lower than in the other tissues. This is likely due to stabilization of the extracellular matrix during the period of the corpus luteum maintenance. The concentration of MMP-3 did not differ significantly among the examined tissues.

p53 protein detection by the western blotting technique in normal and neoplastic specimens of human endometrium.

The aim of the study was to investigate p53 protein expression by the Western blotting technique (estimated by integrated optical density - IOD) in normal (n = 13) and neoplastic (n = 40) human endometrial tissues as well as in a case of uterine carcinosarcoma and in a specimen of the botryoid sarcoma of the uterine cervix. p53 protein levels were correlated with patients' age as well as with conventionally used clinicopathological features of the endometrial neoplasm. A statistically significant difference was noted in p53 levels in the nuclear, but not in the cytoplasmatic, fraction between the normal endometria and endometrial cancer tissues (P < 0.0001). In the neoplastic endometria, nuclear p53 protein expression was higher than in cytoplasmatic fraction, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Higher nuclear p53 protein levels correlated with advanced histological grading of endometrioid endometrial carcinomas, but no relationship was noted between p53 protein expression and patients' age, clinical stage, histological type or depth of myometrial invasion. A case of uterine carcinosarcoma and a specimen of a botryoid sarcoma of the uterine cervix expressed nuclear p53 oncoprotein (57 IOD and 89 IOD, respectively). In conclusion, we found a statistically higher nuclear p53 levels in malignant as compared to normal human endometrial specimens by the Western blotting technique. Although there were no significant differences between p53 expression and clinicopathological features of the neoplasm (except poor histological grading), further studies are necessary to evaluate the influence of p53 nuclear/cytoplasmatic levels on the clinical outcome of Polish patients suffering from endometrial cancer.

RB protein expression in human endometrial carcinomas--an immunohistochemical study.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens obtained from 62 patients suffering from endometrial cancer. The avidin-biotin-peroxidase detection system with microwave pretreatment and the mouse anti-human NCL-RB1 monoclonal antibody were used. Heterogeneous nuclear immunostaining for the pRB was generally observed in the glandular cells in 59 out of 62 (95%) endometrial carcinomas, while stromal components were unreactive. In one case of stage Ic endometrioid adenocarcinoma, a small percentage of glandular cells (5%) stained positively with the anti-RB antibody, while two other tumors (stage IIa adenosquamous carcinoma and stage IIIa endometrioid adenocarcinoma) were pRB negative. In the cases with concomitant hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrial lesions, pRB immunoreaction was heterogeneous in the hyperplastic endometrial cells and in the adjacent neoplastic endometrium. Moreover, eight cases of endometrial carcinoma harboring K-ras codon 12 gene point mutation overexpressed pRB (more than 80% of glandular endometrial cells were positive) immunohistochemically, while none of three pRB negative slides had a K-ras gene alteration. Our data support the view that the pRB is expressed in most of the human endometrial neoplasms, but the lack of pRB immunoreactivity may correspond with the retinoblastoma gene rearrangements in a subset of advanced endometrial carcinomas.

[Mutations causing puberty disturbances in girls]. / Mutacje zaburzajace okres pokwitania u dziewczat.

A survey of literature has been presented relating to the disturbance of girls puberty in presence of gene mutations in membrane GnRH receptors and gonadotropins receptors as well as point mutations in the gonadotropins. The paper also presents the role of mutations in genes involving in steroid hormones production in girls ovaries and adrenal cortex and in the mother placenta. Furthermore also data concern the mutations indirectly influences on the mechanism of puberty as galactosemia or activating in gene G-alpha in absence interaction between gonadotropins and their receptors were presented.

Interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) activity in human ovarian tissue.

The collagen content and collagenase activity were estimated in human ovarian interstitial tissue devoid of all visible follicles in menstruating, fertile as well as climacteric women. The mean total collagenase activity in ovarian specimens taken during both follicular (n = 10, 3.97 +/- 0.58 U/g wet weight, ww) and luteal phase (n = 10, 3.39 +/- 1.24 U/g ww) of the normal menstrual cycle along with total collagen concentration (184.8 +/- 41.0 vs. 194.4 +/- 30.5 micrograms/mg ww, respectively) did not differ. Total collagenase activity of climacteric gonads (n = 5, 1.55 +/- 0.71 U/g ww) was lower than in specimens collected during both follicular and luteal phase (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.017, respectively). About 23% of the total collagenase activity in follicular phase ovarian extracts and only about 1% in luteal phase ovarian preparations was found in the latent form. The percentage of latent collagenase in ovarian tissue during the follicular phase was negatively correlated with the day of the menstrual cycle (r = -0.93, p = 0.007). Extracellular matrix remodelling in the human ovary can be correlated with the functional status of the follicular unit.

[Laparoscopic modification of Vecchietti operation in the treatment of congenital vaginal aplasia]. / Laparoskopowa modyfikacja metody Vecchietiego u dziewczat z aplazja pochwy.

Four young women aged 16-18 years were treated by laparoscopic modification of Vecchietti operation because of congenital vaginal aplasia. In all cases the postoperative period was uneventful and in every case functional vagina with the length 12 cm was achieved within 4 to 14 days of treatment. No pain killers were used during the olive traction in order to create a vagina. Our own instrumentarium necessary to perform such kind of operation was presented. Technical aspects of laparoscopic modification of Vecchietti operation were discussed.

Serum leptin concentrations in women taking oral contraceptives.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate serum leptin concentrations in women taking oral contraceptives containing the same gestagen and different doses of ethinyl estradiol. STUDY DESIGN: 30 women received tablets containing 20 microg of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and 150 microg of desogestrel (DSG) (Mercilon) whereas another group of 30 women received 30 microg of EE and 150 microg of DSG (Marvelon). Serum leptin concentrations were estimated using a Leptin RIA kit (Linco Research USA) after an overnight fast on the first day of the cycle prior to the onset of therapy as well as after the 3rd and 6th treated cycles. RESULTS: In both groups a positive correlation between serum leptin and body mass index (BMI) was found (r=0.56; P<0.001 and r=0.67; P<0.001). The initial serum leptin concentration in the Mercilon group was 7.62+/-8.46 ng/ml. This value was not statistically different from values after 3 months (9.31 8.23 ng/ml) and after 6 months (10.53+/-8.03 ng/ml) of treatment. Very similar results were found in patients receiving Marvelon: 8.81+/-6.56 ng/ml initially; 11.62+/-11.16 ng/ml at 3 months, and 10.38+/-7.32 ng/ml at 6 months. The statistical analysis did not reveal any significant difference at each investigated time point in either study group. CONCLUSIONS: Modern low dose OC containing third generation gestagen and low dose of ethinyl estradiol, does not have any influence on serum leptin or BMI, and therefore does not exert a significant influence on body energy metabolism.