title: Leptin action in pubertal development: recent advances and unanswered questions.
abstract: In recent years we have witnessed a considerable advance in the understanding of the processes involved in pubertal development. This is partially due to the discovery of the kisspeptin system and its fundamental role in the control of reproductive physiology. In addition, the suspected relationship between increasing rates of childhood obesity and the apparent reduction in the age of puberty onset in girls has generated a growing interest in identifying the mechanisms by which nutrition may influence reproductive maturation. This review will focus on recent data unveiling the sites of leptin action in pubertal development that were generated using novel molecular techniques and genetically engineered mouse models. It will also emphasize areas of contention and the many relevant questions that remain unanswered.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hypothalamic Research and Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. carol.elias@utsouthwestern.edu
authors: Carol F
authors: CF
authors: Elias
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059648:Kisspeptins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020738:Leptin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D011627:Puberty / Q000378:metabolism*; D012741:Sexual Maturation
chemical_list: D059648:Kisspeptins; D020738:Leptin