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Objective: To ascertain the possible role of leptin in the resumption of postpartum menstruation in lactating women with differing nutritional statuses. Design: Analysis of data and blood samples collected during a previous prospective study. Setting: Healthy volunteers in an academic research environment. Patient(s): Undernourished (body mass index [BMI]≤19 kg/m2) and well-nourished (BMI≥26 kg/m2) lactating women who resumed regular menstruation before 24 weeks and at or after 24 weeks postpartum. Intervention(s): Venous blood samples at four-weekly intervals and other clinical data collected until resumption of regular menstruation. Main outcome measure(s): Serum leptin concentrations. Result(s): Leptin concentrations were significantly higher in the well-nourished than in the undernourished women, irrespective of the time of resumption of menstruation. Time of resumption of menstruation did not significantly affect leptin levels within well-nourished and undernourished groups. Leptin significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.78). The BMI (r = −0.53), but not leptin, was significantly and negatively correlated with the duration of lactational amenorrhea. Conclusion(s): Leptin is unlikely to be a major determinant of early resumption of regular menstruation in well-nourished women. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]