Leptin level in plasma of lactating buffaloes fed two diets with different energy and protein concentrations

• Main Authors: A. Parmeggiani, S. Terramoccia, S. Bartocci, G.M. Terzano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2011-03-01
• Series: Italian Journal of Animal Science
• Subjects: buffalo, leptin, diets
• Online Access: http://www.aspajournal.it/index.php/ijas/article/view/1992

Leptin, a protein mainly secreted from the white adipocytes, has been shown to contribute to the regulation of energy metabolism, feeding behaviour and whole body energy balance. Moreover, leptin gene activity and leptin secretion are correlated with body adiposity and changes in food intake. Furthermore, leptin could also modulate endocrine response to changes in nutritional status and/or tissue sensitivity to hormones (Houseknecht et al., 1998; Romsos, 1998). Several factors are known to influence plasma leptin in rodents and humans: particularly it increases by body fatness, insulin, glucocorticoids, estrogens and decreases by food deprivation (Saladin et al., 1995; Ahima et al., 1996; Shimizu et al., 1997). These ones and several other observations have led to the hypothesis that leptin is a signal arising from adipose tissue, linked to the level of fat reserves and/or the nutritional status. This signal directly influences the central nervous system and peripheral organs, resulting in a better adaptation of body metabolism and physiological functions to the availability of metabolic energy...........