Lab Anim Res.  2013 Sep;29(3):168-173.

Effects of estrogen on food intake, serum leptin levels and leptin mRNA expression in adipose tissue of female rats

• Fungfuang
• Terada M
• Komatsu N
• Moon C
• Saito TR

Abstract

The integration of metabolism and reproduction involves complex interactions of hypothalamic neuropeptides with metabolic hormones, fuels, and sex steroids. Of these, estrogen influences food intake, body weight, and the accumulation and distribution of adipose tissue. In this study, the effects of estrogen on food intake, serum leptin levels, and leptin mRNA expression were evaluated in ovariectomized rats. Seven-week-old female Wistar-Imamichi rats were ovariectomized and divided into three treatment groups: group 1 (the control group) received sesame oil, group 2 was given 17beta-estradiol benzoate, and group 3 received 17beta-estradiol benzoate plus progesterone. The body weight and food consumption of each rat were determined daily. Serum leptin levels and leptin mRNA expression were measured by ELISA and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. Food consumption in the control group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that in groups 2 and 3, although body weight did not significantly differ among the three groups. The serum leptin concentration and leptin mRNA expression were significantly higher (P<0.05) in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1, but no significant difference existed between groups 2 and 3. In conclusion, estrogen influenced food intake via the modulation of leptin signaling pathway in ovariectomized rats.

Keyword

Estradiol; food intake; leptin; ovariectomized rats

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Animals
Benzoates
Body Weight
Eating
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Estradiol
Estrogens
Female
Humans
Leptin
Neuropeptides
Progesterone
Rats
Reproduction
RNA, Messenger
Sesame Oil
Steroids
Benzoates
Estradiol
Estrogens
Leptin
Neuropeptides
Progesterone
RNA, Messenger
Sesame Oil
Steroids

Figure

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  Figure 1 Effects of estrogen and progesterone on food intake in ovariectomized rats. Data are presented as means±SEM. *P<0.05, vs Groups 2 and 3.

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  Figure 2 Effects of estrogen and progesterone on body weight in ovariectomized rats.

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  Figure 3 Effects of estrogen (EB) and progesterone (P) on serum leptin levels in ovariectomized rats (OVX) . Data are presented as means±SEM. The different characters indicate significant differences (P<0.05).

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  Figure 4 Effects of estrogen (EB) and progesterone (P) on serum leptin levels in ovariectomized rats (OVX). Data are presented as means±SEM. The different characters indicate significant differences (P<0.05).

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