Hormonal regulation of leptin expression in broiler chickens

The presence of a leptin homolog in liver and adipose tissues of broiler chickens was determined. Leptin expression was also found in chicken embryonic liver and yolk sac. The influences of hormone treatment on leptin expression in chickens were also studied. Leptin expression in the liver was enhanced by insulin and dexamethasone and reduced by glucagon and estrogen. There was no induction of leptin expression in adipose tissue by any treatment, while only estrogen reduced adipose expression.