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Genetics and Physiology Link Leptin to the Reproductive System

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Leptin and Reproduction

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Abstract

Studies linking leptin to the reproductive system have drastically expanded since the initial study that reported the rescuing effects of leptin on the reproductive system of ob/ob mice (Chehab et al., 1996). A search of the current literature revealed that this topic has evolved in various directions; however, the broader issue remains that of nutrition and reproduction. This subject continues to draw upon the seminal observations of Kennedy and Mitra (1969) in rodents and of Frisch and McArthur in humans (1974) whose experiments laid the foundations for this field of investigation. Thus, it is without surprise that this area has witnessed multiple interesting studies over the years with undeniably the major breakthrough being the discovery of the hormone leptin (Zhang et al., 1994). This chapter will review in the pre-leptin era, the most pertinent reports that have paved the way for understanding the relevance and importance of studies carried out in the post-leptin era. Together, the integration of these investigations will offer the reader a broad insight into this subject.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California—San Francisco, USA

    Farid F. Chehab, Amanda Ewart-Toland, Khalid Mounzih, Jun Qiu & Scott Ogus

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  1. Farid F. Chehab
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  2. Amanda Ewart-Toland
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  3. Khalid Mounzih
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  4. Jun Qiu
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  5. Scott Ogus
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

    Michael C. Henson

  2. Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas, USA

    V. Daniel Castracane

  3. Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc., Webster, Texas, USA

    V. Daniel Castracane

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Chehab, F.F., Ewart-Toland, A., Mounzih, K., Qiu, J., Ogus, S. (2003). Genetics and Physiology Link Leptin to the Reproductive System. In: Henson, M.C., Castracane, V.D. (eds) Leptin and Reproduction. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0157-2_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0157-2_16

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