Loading…
Two Isoforms of the Leptin Receptor Are Enhanced in Pregnancy-Specific Tissues and Soluble Leptin Receptor Is Enhanced in Maternal Serum with Advancing Gestation in the Baboon
Leptin is a polypeptide hormone produced by adipose and other endocrine tissues. Although it has been linked to receptor-mediated pathways that directly influence human conceptus development, mechanisms that regulate the leptin receptor in pregnancy-specific tissues remain unclear. Therefore, we ass...
Saved in:
Published in: | Biology of reproduction 2004-11, Vol.71 (5), p.1746 |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | Get full text |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Summary: | Leptin is a polypeptide hormone produced by adipose and other endocrine tissues. Although it has been linked to receptor-mediated
pathways that directly influence human conceptus development, mechanisms that regulate the leptin receptor in pregnancy-specific
tissues remain unclear. Therefore, we assessed leptin-receptor ontogeny and regulation in the baboon ( Papio sp.), a primate model for human pregnancy. Placentae, decidua, and amniochorion were collected from baboons in early (Days
54â63, n = 4), mid (Days 98â103, n = 4), and late (Days 159â165, n = 4) gestation. Regulation by estrogen was assessed by
elimination of androgen precursors via removal of the fetus (fetectomy) at midgestation and collection of tissues in late
gestation (n = 4; term, â¼184 days). Maternal serum was sampled with advancing gestation, and the abundance of soluble leptin
receptor (solLepR), a potential mediator of gestational hyperleptinemia, was determined. Two placental leptin-receptor isoforms
(130 and 150 kDa) increased ( P < 0.04 and P < 0.02, respectively) in abundance with advancing gestation. Similarly, the 130-kDa isoform increased approximately fourfold
( P < 0.0025) in decidua and approximately 10-fold ( P < 0.015) in amniochorion between early and late gestation. Following fetectomy, maternal serum estradiol levels declined
approximately 85% ( P < 0.03), and the 150-kDa placental leptin-receptor isoform was reduced by more than half ( P < 0.002). Maternal serum solLepR concentrations were correlated with gestational age ( r = 0.52, P < 0.01) and were unaffected by fetectomy. The presence of leptin-receptor isoforms in pregnancy-specific tissues further
denoted leptin's potential to directly influence conceptus development, whereas the 130-kDa solLepR identified in maternal
serum suggested a means to facilitate the hyperleptinemia typical of primate pregnancy. Although estrogen did not appear to
be the principal regulator of solLepR, it and other factors linked to advancing gestation may be implicated in the regulation
of leptin-receptor synthesis. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 0006-3363 1529-7268 |
DOI: | 10.1095/biolreprod.104.031112 |