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Leptin in horses: tissue localization and relationship between peripheral concentrations of leptin and body condition.
Abstract: Obesity has been a major concern in the horse industry for many years, and the recent discovery of leptin and leptin receptors in numerous nonequine species has provided a basis for new approaches to study this problem in equine. The objectives were to: 1) clone a partial sequence ofthe equine leptin and leptin receptor genes so as to enable the design of primers for RT-PCR determination of leptin and leptin receptor gene presence and distribution in tissues, 2) develop a radioimmunoassay to quantify peripheral concentrations of leptin in equine, 3) determine if peripheral concentrations of leptin correlate with body condition scores in equine, and 4) determine if changing body condition scores would influence peripheral concentrations of leptin in equine. In Experiment 1, equine leptin (GenBank accession number AF179275) and the long-form of the equine leptin receptor (GenBank accession number AF139663) genes were partially sequenced. Equine leptin receptor mRNA was detected in liver, lung, testis, ovary, choroid plexus, hypothalamus, and subcutaneous adipose tissues using RT-PCR. In Experiment 2, 71 horses were categorized by gender, age, and body condition score and blood samples were collected. Sera were assayed for leptin using a heterologous leptin radioimmunoassay developed for equine sera. Serum concentrations of leptin increased in horses with body condition score (1 = thin to 9 = fat; r = 0.64; P = 0.0001). Furthermore, serum concentrations of leptin were greater in geldings and stallions than in mares (P = 0.0002), and tended to increase with age of the animal (P = 0.08). In Experiment 3, blood samples, body weights, and body condition scores were collected every 14 d from 18 pony mares assigned to gain or lose weight over a 14-wk interval based on initial body condition score. Although statistical changes (P = 0.001) in body condition scores were achieved, congruent statistical changes in peripheral concentrations of leptin were not observed, likely due to the small range of change that occurred. Nonetheless, serum concentrations of leptin tended to be greater in fat-restricted mares than in thin-supplemented mares (P = 0.09). We conclude that leptin and leptin receptors are present in equine tissues and that peripheral concentrations of leptin reflect a significant influence of fat mass in equine.
Publication Date: 2002-12-05 PubMed ID: 12462262DOI: 10.2527/2002.80112942xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper describes a study on the hormone leptin in horses, focusing on its location in the body and how its levels relate to body condition. The study found that the concentration of leptin in a horse’s body tends to increase with higher body fat and is present in various tissues.
Study Objectives and Methods
- The study had several objectives, including:
- Cloning a part of the equine leptin and leptin receptor genes for RT-PCR purpose.
- Developing a radioimmunoassay to measure leptin concentrations.
- Investigating the correlation between leptin levels and body conditioning scores.
- Examining if changes in body conditioning scores impact leptin concentrations.
- In the first experiment, they partially sequenced equine leptin and leptin receptor genes. They were then able to show the presence and distribution of these genes in various tissues including liver, lung, testis, ovary, choroid plexus, hypothalamus and subcutaneous fat via RT-PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction).
Correlation between Leptin Levels and Body Condition
- In the second experiment, they classified 71 horses by gender, age, and body condition score and collected blood samples. Using a developed radioimmunoassay, they measured leptin levels in these horses’ blood.
- They found that serum concentrations of leptin increased with higher body condition scores (where 1 = thin and 9 = fat). Further, leptin levels were higher in geldings and stallions compared to mares. A slight increase in leptin levels was also noted with the horse’s age.
Effects of Weight Change on Leptin Levels
- In the third experiment, they monitored body weights and body condition scores of 18 pony mares over a 14-week period. In this time, the mares were made to gain or lose weight based on initial body condition scores.
- While there was a significant change in body condition scores, they did not observe a similar statistically significant change in leptin levels. This indicates that leptin concentration might not be significantly affected by short-term weight changes within a small range.
In conclusion, the researchers suggest that leptin and its receptors are present in horse tissues, and the peripheral concentration of leptin may act as an indicator of a horse’s fat mass.
Cite This Article
APA
Buff PR, Dodds AC, Morrison CD, Whitley NC, McFadin EL, Daniel JA, Djiane J, Keisler DH.
(2002).
Leptin in horses: tissue localization and relationship between peripheral concentrations of leptin and body condition.
J Anim Sci, 80(11), 2942-2948.
https://doi.org/10.2527/2002.80112942x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Sciences Department, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Adipose Tissue / chemistry
- Adipose Tissue / metabolism
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- Body Composition / physiology
- DNA, Complementary / chemistry
- DNA, Complementary / genetics
- Female
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses
- Leptin / blood
- Leptin / chemistry
- Leptin / genetics
- Male
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Obesity / blood
- Obesity / metabolism
- Obesity / veterinary
- RNA, Messenger / chemistry
- Radioimmunoassay / veterinary
- Receptors, Cell Surface / chemistry
- Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
- Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
- Receptors, Leptin
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Sex Factors
Citations
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