Localization of long-form leptin receptor in the somatostatin-containing neurons in the sheep hypothalamus

Abstract

Reduction in the adiposity or dietary restriction increases plasma growth hormone (GH) concentrations, and in sheep this appears to be due, at least in part, to a reduction in the concentrations of somatostatin (SRIF) in hypophyseal portal blood. Leptin is a hormone secreted by the adipocytes and it is possible that the effects of altered adiposity or fasting on GH secretion could be due to regulation of SRIF neurons by leptin. To ascertain the extent to which leptin may act on these neurons, we have used immunohistochemistry to examine co-localization of long-form of the leptin receptor (OB-Rb) and SRIF in the sheep hypothalamus. In the hypothalamic periventricular area (PeriV), 44.5±10% of..