Expression of leptin hormone in certain tissues of ruminants of different species

Besides the thyroid hormones, leptin hormone plays an important role in the regulation of overall energy metabolism of the body. Leptin signals from the periphery to the center. It informs the central nervous system (CNS) about the size of the lipid depots of the body. In the CNS anabolic or catabolic processes are triggered, which regulate energy expenditure and food uptake. Effects are not limited to controlling the energy balance, as leptin is involved in the regulation of the reproduction and the immune system. Leptin production is not limited to the white adipose tissue. It is also produced in various other tissues. In these experiments the leptin production of large ruminants (Egyptian water buffalo, cow and one humped camel) was examined. Leptin production in the udder of the Egyptian water buffalo and one humped camel does not differ from that of the cow. It was found that the mammary gland produces leptin, which not only serves to increase the milk leptin level, but it also helps to maintain lactation through leptin receptors located in the epithelial cells of the udder. Based on the results it seems that tissues participating in the production have an autoregulative mechanism through which tissues can be relatively independent of the plasma leptin levels in order to maintain the desired function.