title: Leptin secretion and hypothalamic neuropeptide and receptor gene expression in sheep.
abstract: Peripheral and hypothalamic mechanisms underlying the hyperphagia of lactation have been investigated in sheep. Sheep were fed ad libitum and killed at 6 and 18 days of lactation; ad libitum-fed nonlactating sheep were killed as controls. Despite increased food intake, lactating ewes were in negative energy balance. Lactation decreased plasma leptin and adipose tissue leptin mRNA concentrations. OB-Rb gene expression, determined by in situ hybridization, was increased in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) at both stages of lactation. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was increased by lactation in both the ARC and dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), although increased gene expression in the DMH was only apparent at day 18 of lactation. Gene expression was decreased for cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) in the ARC and VMH and for proopiomelanocortin in ARC during lactation. Agouti-related peptide gene expression was increased in the ARC, and melanocortin receptor expression was unchanged in both the ARC and VMH with lactation. Thus the hypoleptinemia of lactation may activate NPY orexigenic pathways and attenuate anorexigenic melanocortin and CART pathways in the hypothalamus to promote the hyperphagia of lactation.
authors.affiliation: Hannah Research Institute, Ayr KA6 5HL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sorensen
authors.forename: Clare L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.forename: Pat A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Findlay
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marie
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Maureen T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Travers
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Vernon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D044104:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin / Q000235:genetics; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D012756:Sheep; D014697:Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044104:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin; D054411:Receptors, Leptin