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Reproductive Endocrinology pp 215–227Cite as

Leptin as a Reproductive Hormone

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Leptin is an adipokine (i.e., adipocytokine). Adipokines are adipocyte-derived secretory proteins that are linked to physiological mechanisms that influence energy metabolism, inflammation, and an array of pathological conditions that range from infectious disease to diabetes and from preeclampsia to cancer. After only a few years of research on these versatile physiological mediators, their obvious importance served to elevate adipose tissue from its previously accepted role as a simple storage compartment for lipids to that of a powerful endocrine organ [1, 2]. Adipokines, therefore, are now recognized as molecular agents of communication connecting adipose tissue, brain, vasculature, liver, pancreas, muscle, the immune system, and many of the specialized reproductive tissues and organs in both males and females [3].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech, University Health Sciences Centers, Odessa, TX, USA

    Michael C. Henson & V. Daniel Castracane

Authors
  1. Michael C. Henson
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  2. V. Daniel Castracane
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Correspondence to Michael C. Henson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

     

    AGRP:

    agouti-related protein

    AR:

    androgen receptor

    ARKO:

    androgen receptor knockout mouse

    AVPV:

    anteroventral periventricular

    BMI:

    body mass index

    BOX2:

    amino acid sequence [V/L]E[V/L]L present in the single chain cytokine receptors required in some cases for full activation of Jak2

    CART:

    cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript

    CRH:

    corticotropin-releasing hormone

    E2:

    estradiol

    E2B:

    estradiol benzoate

    ER:

    estrogen receptor

    ERK:

    extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways

    GnRH:

    Gonadotripin-releasing hormone

    GPR54:

    G-protein-coupled receptor-54

    hCG:

    human chorionic gonadotropin

    IL:

    interleukin

    IUGR:

    intrauterine growth restriction

    JAK/STAT:

    Janus tyrosine kinases/signal transduction and activators of transcription

    KiSS-1:

    cognate ligands of the GPR54

    LEP:

    human/primate leptin

    Lep:

    rodent leptin

    Lep ob /Lep ob:

    obese, genetically leptin deficient, mouse

    LEPRL:

    long isoform, primate leptin receptor

    LEPRS:

    short isoform, primate leptin receptor

    LR:

    leptin receptor

    LRa:

    a short LR isoform

    LRb:

    long LR isoform

    MAPK:

    mitogen-activated protein kinase

    MCH:

    melanin-concentrating hormone

    NPY:

    neuropeptide Y

    ob:

    original name for Lep gene (obese)

    ORX:

    orexins

    P450scc:

    cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage

    POMC:

    proopiomelanocortin

    SF-1:

    steroidogenic factor-1

    SH2:

    Src homology 2

    solLR:

    soluble leptin receptor

    StAR:

    sterodogenic acute regulatory protein

    TNF-α:

    tumor necrosis factor-α

    TRH:

    thyrotropin-releasing hormone

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    © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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    Henson, M.C., Castracane, V.D. (2009). Leptin as a Reproductive Hormone. In: Chedrese, P. (eds) Reproductive Endocrinology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88186-7_19

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88186-7_19

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    • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

    • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-88185-0

    • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-88186-7

    • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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