Leptin as a reproductive hormone

Abstract

Leptin is an adipokine (i.e., adipocytokine). Adipokines are adipocyte-derived secretory proteins that are linked to physiological mechanisms that influence energy metabolism, inflammation, and an array of pathological conditions that range from infectious disease to diabetes and from preeclampsia to cancer. After only a few years of research on these versatile physiological mediators, their obvious importance served to elevate adipose tissue from its previously accepted role as a simple storage compartment for lipids to that of a powerful endocrine organ [1, 2]. Adipokines, therefore, are now recognized as molecular agents of communication connecting adipose tissue, brain, vasculature, liver, pancreas, muscle, the immune system, and many of the specialized reproductive tissues and organs in both males and females [3]. © 2009 Springer-Verlag US.