Role of Leptin in Farm Animals: a Review

Abstract

The discovery of hormone leptin has led to better understanding of the energy balance control. In addition to its effects on food intake and energy expenditure, leptin has now been implicated as a mediator of diverse physiological functions. Recently, leptin has been cloned in several domestic species. The sequence similarity suggests a common function or mechanism of this peptide hormone across species. Leptin receptors are expressed in most of tissues, which is consistent with the multiplicity of leptin functions. The main goal of this review was to summarize knowledge about effect of leptin on physiology of farm animals. Experiments point to a stimulatory action of leptin on growth hormone (GH) secretion, normal growth and development of the brain. Surprisingly, leptin is synthesized at a high rate in placenta and may function as a growth factor for fetus, signalling the nutritional status from the mother to her offspring. Maturation of reproductive system can be stimulated by leptin administration. Morphological and hormonal changes, consistent with a major role of leptin in the reproductive system, have also been described, including the stimulation of the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin. Leptin has a substantial effect on food intake and feeding behaviour in animals. Administration of leptin reduces food intake. Its level decrease within hours after initiation of fasting. Leptin also serves as a mediator of the adaptation to fasting, and this role may be the primary function for which was the molecule evolved.

Blood Metabolic Profile and Certain Hormones Concentrations in Egyptian Buffalo During Different Physiological States

“…Serum leptin is sensitive to energy balance and is reduced during periods of negative energy balance in ewes (Tokuda et al, 2002). Lactation in many species is associated with marked loss energy through the milk which cannot be fully compensated by food intake (Macajova et al, 2004). During pregnancy, particularly in later pregnancy, plasma leptin levels were increased (Ingvartsen and Boisclair, 2001;Meikle et al, 2004;Block et al, 2003) and decreased sharply after delivery.…”

Variabilidad genética en seis SNPs de los genes CAPN1, CAST y LEP de toros brahman en ganaderías del trópico bajo colombiano

“…U50365) ubicado en el cromosoma 4, codifica para la leptina, una hormona que regula el apetito de los animales, el balance energético, el crecimiento, el depósito de grasa e influye en las características de la canal (Clarke y Henry, 1999, Houseknecht et al, 1998;Mácajová et al, 2004). El gen LEP porta algunos SNPs con variantes alélicas que favorecen el marmóreo, y este a su vez está íntimamente relacionado con la terneza (Schenkel et al, 2005).…”

Association study between single nucleotide polymorphisms in leptin and growth traits in Cyprinus carpio var. Jian

“…In mammals, leptin is involved in a diverse range of physiological functions, including appetite and body weight regulation, bone remodeling, fat metabolism, immune responses, and reproduction (Houseknecht et al, 1998;Moschos et al, 2002;Mácajová et al, 2004;Roubos et al, 2012). In fish, the function of leptin remains unclear, although several studies have been conducted on fish leptin genes.…”