Gender differences in leptin levels and physiology: a role for leptin in human reproduction.
Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone known to play an important role in body-weight regulation, has been shown to be expressed differentially in men and women. These observations are potentially important for the understanding of differences between men and women in regulation of food intake, weight gain, and body fat distribution. Leptin is also involved in female fertility, especially in pubertal development. It may well be the triggering signal for the onset of puberty in girls. Although the exact mechanisms and interactions with sex steroids are not yet fully established, it is clear that leptin plays a role as an endocrine mediator in sexual development and reproduction.
University Hospital Antwerp, Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Clinical Nutrition, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium.
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M
Wauters
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L
Van Gaal
D000818:Animals; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D020738:Leptin