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Expression of Leptin and Long‐form Leptin‐receptor Proteins in Porcine Hypothalamus during Oestrous Cycle and Pregnancy
Author(s) -
Siawrys G,
Kaminski T,
Smolinska N,
Przala J
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
reproduction in domestic animals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.546
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1439-0531
pISSN - 0936-6768
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01118.x
Subject(s) - leptin , luteal phase , medicine , hypothalamus , endocrinology , estrous cycle , pregnancy , leptin receptor , biology , median eminence , hormone , obesity , genetics
Contents In this study, we examined the levels of leptin and OB‐Rb protein expression in the discrete areas of the porcine hypothalamus (mediobasal hypothalamus – MBH, pre‐optic area – POA, stalk median eminence – SME) during mid‐ and late‐luteal phases of the oestrous cycle (days 10–12 and 14–16) as well as two stages of pregnancy (days 14–16 and 30–32). The analysis showed that during the cycle, leptin protein expression in MBH was higher in the mid‐luteal phase than late‐luteal phase. In the case of OB‐Rb protein expression, a higher level was observed in MBH during the late‐luteal phase in comparison to the mid‐luteal phase, whereas in POA and SME the opposite dependence was noticed. In turn, during pregnancy, leptin protein expression in MBH and POA, and OB‐Rb protein expression in POA were more pronounced on days 14–16 than on days 30–32. In contrast, leptin protein content in SME as well as OB‐Rb protein in MBH and SME was higher on days 30–32 than during the earlier stage of pregnancy. Comparison of leptin and OB‐Rb protein expression between the cycle (days 10–12) and pregnancy showed a higher level of leptin and OB‐Rb protein contents in POA as well as in SME during pregnancy (on days 14–16 and 30–32, respectively). Yet, OB‐Rb protein expression in POA on days 30–32 of pregnancy was lower in comparison to days 10–12 of the cycle. Furthermore, during pregnancy, leptin protein expression in MBH was lower (days 14–16 and 30–32), whereas OB‐Rb protein expression in that area of hypothalamus was higher (days 30–32) in comparison to the mid‐luteal phase. Our results indicate that both leptin and OB‐Rb are synthesized in the porcine hypothalamus and suggest the participation of leptin in auto/paracrine regulation of these brain areas functions, including control of reproduction during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy.