The European beaver (Castor fiber L.) is the largest free-living rode nt in Eurasia. The prese nt work aimed to determi ne sex- and seas on-related cha nges in leptin receptor (Ob-R) expression in the hypothalamic-pit...The European beaver (Castor fiber L.) is the largest free-living rode nt in Eurasia. The prese nt work aimed to determi ne sex- and seas on-related cha nges in leptin receptor (Ob-R) expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal/adrenal axes and uterus of beavers during breeding-(April), postbreeding-(July), and pre-breeding-(November) periods. The expression of Ob-R gene and protein was found in all analyzed tissues. The expression of Ob-R mRNA remained constant in the hypothalamus of both sexes during the analyzed stages. Sex- and season-related changes were found in the pituitary gland;the greatest level was observed in July in both sexes. The same expression pattern was noted in the testis, whereas in the ovary a lack of seasonal changes was found. In uterine tissues, the greatest expression occurred in November. The impact of season was also demonstrated in the adrenal cortex. In females, a higher Ob-R transcript level was noted in April, while in males, an increased mRNA abundanee was noted in November than July. Our study suggests that in the beaver, leptin acting via the Ob-R can be an important endocrine factor engaged in the regulation of reproductive functions and stress response.展开更多
文摘The European beaver (Castor fiber L.) is the largest free-living rode nt in Eurasia. The prese nt work aimed to determi ne sex- and seas on-related cha nges in leptin receptor (Ob-R) expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal/adrenal axes and uterus of beavers during breeding-(April), postbreeding-(July), and pre-breeding-(November) periods. The expression of Ob-R gene and protein was found in all analyzed tissues. The expression of Ob-R mRNA remained constant in the hypothalamus of both sexes during the analyzed stages. Sex- and season-related changes were found in the pituitary gland;the greatest level was observed in July in both sexes. The same expression pattern was noted in the testis, whereas in the ovary a lack of seasonal changes was found. In uterine tissues, the greatest expression occurred in November. The impact of season was also demonstrated in the adrenal cortex. In females, a higher Ob-R transcript level was noted in April, while in males, an increased mRNA abundanee was noted in November than July. Our study suggests that in the beaver, leptin acting via the Ob-R can be an important endocrine factor engaged in the regulation of reproductive functions and stress response.
