| First Author | Hoffmann A | Year | 2016 |
| Journal | Endocrinology | Volume | 157 |
| Issue | 6 | Pages | 2461-8 |
| PubMed ID | 27105383 | Mgi Jnum | J:235165 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5793006 | Doi | 10.1210/en.2015-1966 |
| Citation | Hoffmann A, et al. (2016) Leptin Within the Subphysiological to Physiological Range Dose Dependently Improves Male Reproductive Function in an Obesity Mouse Model. Endocrinology 157(6):2461-8 |
| abstractText | Obesity has recently been linked with reduced fertility, and the mechanisms underpinning this effect are currently unknown. The adipokine leptin is dysregulated in obesity and affects reproductive tracts; therefore, we investigated the dose-dependent effects of leptin on Leydig cell function and spermatogenesis. Eight-week-old leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) male mice were treated with subphysiological (0.1- or 0.5-mg/kg body weight [BW]/d) or physiological (3.0-mg/kg BW/d) doses of leptin or saline for 12 weeks (chronic treatment) or 72 hours (acute treatment). We then evaluated male reproductive function markers. Mean testis weight increased significantly in the 0.1- and 3.0-mg/kg BW/d groups compared with saline controls (both P < .05). Intratesticular testosterone levels relative to testis weight significantly increased in the 0.5-mg/kg BW/d group compared with saline controls (P < .05). FSH levels increased in a dose-dependent manner with leptin treatment, whereas LH levels did not change. Leptin treatment significantly up-regulated both mRNA and protein expression of the steroidogenic enzyme cytochrome P450 17A1. Spermatogenesis improved in leptin-treated animals. Significantly more seminiferous tubules were observed in stages I-VIII (P < .01), and there were fewer abnormal seminiferous tubule structures (P < .01). Acute treatment with physiological leptin doses partially improved male reproductive markers without changing BW. Administration of subphysiological to physiological doses of leptin improves Leydig cell function and spermatogenesis. |
