Leptin is a protein encoded by the Obese gene and mainly produced by fat cells, which, interacting with its receptor in the hypothalamus, controls metabolism and appetite. The observation that mice genetically deprived of leptin, in addition to being obese, are also sterile and that the exogenous administration of leptin to these same animals is capable of restoring fertility, has led to the hypothesis that this hormone may play a control on reproduction. Recently, some studies have shown the presence of leptin and its receptor in human and rat testis. Starting from these observations, we investigated the presence of leptin and its receptor in the testis of cattle using immunohistochemical techniques. In particular, leptin was detected in cells of the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules mainly in the basal third within the Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The localization of the immuno-positivity that affects only the nucleus is very peculiar and reflects what is present in the literature concerning rats.Onthe contrary, the Leydig cells are negative. Instead with regards to the receptor, positivity is localized in the cytoplasm of the Leydig cells while the epithelial cells of the seminiferous tubules are negative. In conclusion, the identification of leptin and its receptor in the testis of cattle reflects what has already been described in humans and in laboratory animals and highlights, also in this animal species, the importance of this molecule in the control of gonadal function.
Immunohistochemical identification of leptin and its receptor in bovine testis
SCOCCO, Paola;
2014-01-01
Abstract
Leptin is a protein encoded by the Obese gene and mainly produced by fat cells, which, interacting with its receptor in the hypothalamus, controls metabolism and appetite. The observation that mice genetically deprived of leptin, in addition to being obese, are also sterile and that the exogenous administration of leptin to these same animals is capable of restoring fertility, has led to the hypothesis that this hormone may play a control on reproduction. Recently, some studies have shown the presence of leptin and its receptor in human and rat testis. Starting from these observations, we investigated the presence of leptin and its receptor in the testis of cattle using immunohistochemical techniques. In particular, leptin was detected in cells of the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules mainly in the basal third within the Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The localization of the immuno-positivity that affects only the nucleus is very peculiar and reflects what is present in the literature concerning rats.Onthe contrary, the Leydig cells are negative. Instead with regards to the receptor, positivity is localized in the cytoplasm of the Leydig cells while the epithelial cells of the seminiferous tubules are negative. In conclusion, the identification of leptin and its receptor in the testis of cattle reflects what has already been described in humans and in laboratory animals and highlights, also in this animal species, the importance of this molecule in the control of gonadal function.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
