Abstract: 47

EXPRESSION OF LEPTIN AND ITS RECEPTORS IN RAT OVARY.

Myoung Shin Kim¹ , Hyun Won Yang¹ , Hyuck Chan Kwon¹ , Kyung Joo Hwang¹ , Sei Kwang Kim² , Yong Dal Yoon³
Department of Obstetrics & Gyneacology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea ¹
Department of Obstetrics & Gyneacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea ²
Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea ³

The product of the obese gene leptin is produced by adipose tissue and is known to be a hormone concerned with regulation of appetite and metabolism. Recent reports have shown that leptin is associated not only with obesity but also with female reproduction, but it has not yet been ascertained whether leptin acts directly on the ovaries or indirectly via the hypothalamus or pituitary pathway. The object of this study is to determine the expression of leptin and its receptor in the ovaries of 3 and 8 weeks old rats by immunohistochemistry, western blotting and RT-PCR. In the ovaries of 3 and 8weeks old rats, leptin showed staining of the theca cells and portions of granulosa cells in atretic follicles, whereas leptin receptors showed staining of interstitial cells and ova of preantral follicles. The western blotting results showed that leptin and its receptors were expressed in the ovaries of both immature and adult rats. The RT-PCR results showed that leptin receptor mRNA was expressed in the ovaries of both immature and adult rats, while leptin mRNA was not expressed in the ovaries of both immature and adult rats. In conclusion leptin mRNA was not expressed in the ovaries, but the expression by immunohistochemistry and western blotting was confirmed, whereas RT-western blotting, PCR and immunohistochemistry ascertained leptin receptors in the ovaries. These results suggest that leptin is related to the regulation of the physiological functions of the ovaries.

    This abstract is being presented on Sunday, August 1 at 8:00 AM to 10:15 AM at CUB 2nd Floor Ballroom.