Abstract
Objective
The current focus of kisspeptin research is an exploration of its key role in the hypothalamic control of human and animal fertility. Notwithstanding the importance of these studies, strong evidence exists that the gene encoding human kisspeptin, KISS1, is present in several peripheral sites, including the placenta. We also provided evidence that kiss1 is also expressed and regulated in rodent adipose tissue. This study describes a pilot investigation into the possibility that human female adipose tissue might also express the KISS1 gene.
Methods
Samples of fat were taken from women undergoing open abdominal surgery, for example, during caesarian section. Two small samples of fat were obtained, one from subcutaneous tissue (n = 35) and one from the omentum (n = 32). RNA was isolated from all fat samples and KISS1 mRNA was detected by realtime RT-PCR.
Results
KISS1 gene expression was detected at varying levels in all samples of fat tissue but levels were significantly higher in subcutaneous fat. There was no significant correlation between KISS1 gene expression and body mass index (BMI) in subcutaneous fat (P = 0.43), but there was a significant positive correlation (P = 0.01) between KISS1 mRNA levels and BMI in omental adipose tissue.
Conclusion
We have shown for the first time that human female adipose tissue may be a source of kisspeptins. Further studies are required to establish whether kisspeptins of adipose tissue origin might be correlated with some aspects of infertility.
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Acknowledgments
This work was funded by the IWK Health Centre and by the Atlee Endowment of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Dr Cockwell was the recipient of a Board of Director’s Fellowship at the IWK Health Centre. We are grateful to our colleagues Dr Gillian Graves and Dr Linda Hamilton for their advice and support, and to Cora Fanning, RN, who organized the recruitment of patients and the collection of the fat samples.
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There are no conflicts of interest for this manuscript.
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Cockwell, H., Wilkinson, D.A., Bouzayen, R. et al. KISS1 expression in human female adipose tissue. Arch Gynecol Obstet 287, 143–147 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2514-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2514-0