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Related Experiment Videos

Role of leptin in hypothalamic-pituitary function

W H Yu1, M Kimura, A Walczewska

  • 1Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70808-4124, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|February 4, 1997
PubMed
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Leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite, was found to influence reproductive hormone secretion. This study shows leptin can stimulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone and gonadotropin release in rats, suggesting a role in reproductive function.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Obesity is linked to the obese gene and its product, leptin, a hormone regulating appetite and fat stores.
  • Ob/ob mice exhibit obesity and impaired reproductive function, characterized by prepubertal gonadotropin secretion patterns.
  • This suggests a potential role for leptin in the control of gonadotropin secretion and overall reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the acute effects of leptin on hypothalamic-pituitary function, specifically gonadotropin secretion.
  • To determine if leptin directly influences the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin.
  • To explore leptin's in vivo effects on LH and FSH release in a rodent model.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • In vitro incubation of rat hemi-anterior pituitaries and median eminence-arcuate nuclear explants with varying concentrations of leptin.
  • Measurement of FSH, LH, prolactin, and LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) release in response to leptin.
  • In vivo administration of leptin into the third ventricle of ovariectomized rats to assess plasma LH and FSH levels.

    • Main Results:

    • Leptin stimulated FSH and LH release from anterior pituitaries in a dose-dependent manner at low concentrations (10^-9 to 10^-11 M).
    • Prolactin secretion increased significantly with higher leptin concentrations (10^-7 to 10^-5 M).
    • Leptin stimulated LHRH release from hypothalamic explants at very low concentrations (10^-12 to 10^-10 M) but inhibited it at higher concentrations.
    • In vivo, leptin significantly increased plasma LH but not FSH in ovariectomized rats.

    Conclusions:

    • Leptin plays a significant role in regulating gonadotropin secretion through both direct hypothalamic and pituitary actions.
    • Low concentrations of leptin stimulate LHRH release, leading to FSH and LH release.
    • Leptin's effects on reproductive hormones suggest a crucial link between energy balance and reproductive function.