Progesterone and human placental lactogen inhibit leptin secretion on cultured trophoblast cells from human placentas at term

Abstract

The placenta is an important source of leptin production that contributes to the state of hyperleptinemia observed in pregnant women. Moreover, the synthesis of leptin and its receptors by syncytiotrophoblast cells suggests a potential paracrine or autocrine action of leptin in the placenta. In the present study we examined the effect of gestational hormones, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), human placental lactogen (hPL), progesterone and estradiol, on in vitro leptin release by human term trophoblast cells in culture. Placentas at term were obtained immediately after delivery from mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies. Leptin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in culture media of trophoblasts maintained in monolayer culture for 24, 48 and 72 h with different hormonal treatments or placebo. Treatment with hPL and progesterone led to a time- and dose-dependent decrease in leptin release that was statistically significant after 24 h, with a maximal effect after 72 h of incubation. In contrast, incubation with estradiol and hCG did not have exhibit any effect on leptin secretion at any of the doses and times assayed in this work. The results obtained in this study support that leptin can be considered a gestational hormone implied in the endocrine function of the placenta and that its secretion is at least partially regulated by steroid and peptidic reproductive hormones in trophoblast cells in vitro.

Adiponectin and leptin systems in human endometrium during window of implantation

“…Our results clearly demonstrated that pathologies, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (37,40). Different data reveal that leptin gene expression is regulated by P in human adipose tissue and in human placenta (41)(42)(43). Thus, it cannot be ruled out that P may regulate leptin expression in the human endometrium.…”

Serum leptin and ghrelin concentrations of maternal serum, arterial and venous cord blood in healthy and preeclamptic pregnant women

“…The increase in serum leptin and ghrelin level was greater in the women with SPE than that of the MPE group. Parallel increased umbilical venous and arterial leptin and ghrelin concentrations may partly originate from the placenta (14,(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36). Ghrelin, leptin and their mRNAs are present in rat (31) as well in human placenta (30).…”

“…Women with normal pregnancy show elevated level of leptin during the second trimester of pregnancy while its level decreases rapidly at postpartum period (13). Leptin is also produced in human placenta and in syncytiotrophoblasts at maternal-fetal interface (14). It contributes to the regulation of fetal growth and development and plays a role in the successful outcome of human pregnancy (15).…”

Leptin Gene Expression in Rabbits During Pregnancy and Fetal Life

“…In late pregnancy when placental progesterone production is at its height, progesterone has been reported to inhibit leptin secretion by human placental cells in culture (Coya et al, 2005). On the other hand, leptin always led to an inhibitory effect on progesterone secretion (Cameo et al, 2003).…”