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Presence of Leptin and Its Receptor in the Hypothalamus, Uterus and Ovaries of Swine Females Culled with Distinct Ovarian Statuses and Parities
Author(s) -
Moreira F,
Gheller SMM,
Mondadori RG,
Varela Júnior AS,
Corcini CD,
Lucia T
Publication year - 2014
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/rda.12438
Subject(s) - leptin , biology , follicular phase , uterus , hypothalamus , medicine , endocrinology , leptin receptor , estrous cycle , ovulation , andrology , hormone , obesity
Contents Leptin acts on energy metabolism, affecting reproductive functions through activation of its receptors in the brain and in reproductive organs. This study compared the presence of leptin and its receptor ( O b R ‐b) in hypothalamus neurons, endometrial glands and oocytes of culled swine females across ovarian statuses and parities. Immunohistochemistry was done in samples of uterus, ovaries and hypothalamus from 28 culled females, using polyclonal antibodies antileptin and O b R ‐b. Immunolabelling was compared for sows categorized by parity at culling (0, 1, 2–4 and <4) and ovarian status (luteal and follicular phases of the oestrous cycle and with cysts). Immunolabelling for leptin and O b R ‐b in neurons and oocytes was weaker in females with cysts (p < 0.05) than in those at the follicular phase. In endometrial glands, leptin immunolabelling was less intense in females with cysts (p < 0.05), but immunolabelling for O b R ‐b was similar across ovarian statuses (p > 0.05). In sows culled with 2–4 parities, leptin immunolabelling in neurons and endometrial glands was more intense than in nulliparous females (p < 0.05). In comparison with sows culled at greater parities, O b R ‐b immunolabelling for nulliparous females was less intense in endometrial glands and in oocytes (p < 0.05), but more intense in neurons (p < 0.05). Thus, in swine, the presence of leptin and O b R ‐b varies across parities and is more intense in the uterus, ovaries and hypothalamus of females that were cycling before culling than in those having cystic ovaries.