Presence of Leptin and Its Receptor in the Hypothalamus, Uterus and Ovaries of Swine Females Culled with Distinct Ovarian Statuses and Parities

Abstract

Leptin acts on energy metabolism, affecting reproductive functions through activation of its receptors in the brain and in reproductive organs. This study compared the presence of leptin and its receptor (ObR-b) in hypothalamus neurons, endometrial glands and oocytes of culled swine females across ovarian statuses and parities. Immunohistochemistry was done in samples of uterus, ovaries and hypothalamus from 28 culled females, using polyclonal antibodies antileptin and ObR-b. Immunolabelling was compared for sows categorized by parity at culling (0, 1, 2-4 and <4) and ovarian status (luteal and follicular phases of the oestrous cycle and with cysts). Immunolabelling for leptin and ObR-b in neurons and oocytes was weaker in females with cysts (p < 0.05) than in those at the follicular phase. In endometrial glands, leptin immunolabelling was less intense in females with cysts (p < 0.05), but immunolabelling for ObR-b was similar across ovarian statuses (p > 0.05). In sows culled with 2-4 parities, leptin immunolabelling in neurons and endometrial glands was more intense than in nulliparous females (p < 0.05). In comparison with sows culled at greater parities, ObR-b immunolabelling for nulliparous females was less intense in endometrial glands and in oocytes (p < 0.05), but more intense in neurons (p < 0.05). Thus, in swine, the presence of leptin and ObR-b varies across parities and is more intense in the uterus, ovaries and hypothalamus of females that were cycling before culling than in those having cystic ovaries.

PSA‐NCAM expression in the teleost optic tectum is related to ecological niche and use of vision in finding food

“…PSA-NCAM immunoreactivity, as a crucial antibody in the study, was analysed in the optic tectum layers of each fish species by IMAGE J software (NIH; www.imagej.en.softonic.com) using a scale ranging from 0 (the greatest staining intensity) to 255 (no staining) (Moreira et al, 2014). Several layers were quantified: stratum album central and stratum periventriculare (sac + spv) combined; stratum griseum centrale inner plexiform layer and stratum griseum centrale deeper layer (sgc-ip + sgc); stratum opticum and stratum fibrosum et griseum superficiale (so + sfgs).…”

Effects of supplying omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to gilts after weaning on metabolism and ovarian gene expression1

“…Leptin and its long-chain receptor (LEPR) have been identified in both gilts and sows, in the brain (Lin et al, 2001), and in oocytes at distinct developmental stages (Moreira et al, 2013(Moreira et al, , 2016. In gilts approaching puberty, circulating leptin levels are increased (Qian et al, 1999) and immunolabeling for LEPR becomes more evident at the hypothalamus (Moreira et al, 2014). In cycling gilts, high leptin levels have been associated with higher circulating levels of LH and steroid hormones, as well as increased intrafollicular estrogen levels, which may improve oocyte developmental competence (Ferguson et al, 2003), as also described for mice (Wakefield et al, 2008).…”