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Horm Metab Res 2001; 33(3): 144-150
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-14928
Original Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Central Leptin Stimulates Ingestive Behavior and Urine Flow in the Near Term Ovine Fetus

T. J. Roberts1, 3 , M. J. Nijland2 , A. Caston-Balderrama1 , M. G. Ross1
  • 1 Perinatal Research Laboratories, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
  • 2 Department of Veterinary Physiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
  • 3 Department of Biology, Los Angeles, Southwest College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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Leptin inhibits ingestive behavior and induces diuresis and natriuresis. To examine whether leptin influences fetal physiologic functions, we investigated the effect of central leptin on ovine fetal swallowing activity and urine flow. Six pregnant ewes with singleton fetuses (130 ± 2 d gestation) were prepared with maternal and fetal arterial and venous catheters, fetal lateral intra-ventricle cannula, fetal bladder and amniotic fluid catheters. Electromyogram wires were placed in the fetal thyrohyoid muscle and upper and lower nuchal esophagus and electrodes were implanted on the parietal dura. Five days after surgery, recombinant human leptin was infused into the lateral ventricle and the fetus monitored for 8 h. Central leptin increased fetal swallowing activity during low-voltage electrocortical activity from basal values (0.96 ± 0.08 swallows/min) at 2 h (1.41 ± 0.24 swallows/min), 4 h (2.81 ± 0.57 swallows/min), 6 h (2.53 ± 0.59 swallows/min) and 8 h (2.08 ± 0.39 swallows/min, p < 0.05). In comparison to basal values, low voltage electrocortical activity decreased (57 ± 5 % to 42 ± 4 %) and high voltage electrocortical increased (43 ± 5 % to 61 ± 4 %). In response to leptin, fetal urine flow initially decreased from basal values at 2 h (0.12 ± 0.03 to 0.08 ± 0.02 ml/kg/min, p < 0.05) then subsequently increased at 4 h and 6 h (0.20 ± 0.04; 0.21 ± 0.04 ml/kg/min, respectively, p < 0.05). Central leptin significantly increases near term ovine fetal swallowing activity and urine output, suggesting that leptin contributes to in utero development of ingestive behavior.

Key words:

OB Protein - Renal - Fetal Sheep - Swallowing - Thirst - Behavioral State

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T. J. Roberts, Ph.D.

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

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