Comparison of pre- and postpartum serum leptin, ghrelin, and lipid levels in sheep

Authors : Ethem Mutlu TEMİZEL, Hüseyin CİHAN, Pınar LEVENT, Ahmet SARIL, Yeşim ÖZARDA, Zeki YILMAZ

Pages : 177-183

View : 9 | Download : 5

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Serum leptin and ghrelin play important roles in energy metabolism and inducing appetite during pregnancy and lactation. We investigated the serum levels of leptin and ghrelin and their relationship with the duration of lactation and serum biochemical responses during the prepartum insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(last week before lambing); and postpartum periods in sheep. They were also evaluated between pregnant and nonpregnant insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(control ewes); ewes. For these purposes, pregnant insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n = 15); and control Awassi ewes insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n = 15); that were 2 years of age were used in this study. Blood samples were collected 1 week before the expected date of lambing insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(baseline); and for 12 weeks after parturitions. Serum leptin, ghrelin, cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL, LDL, HDL, NEFA, and phospholipid levels were assayed. Leptin and ghrelin levels of the prepartum period in pregnant and control ewes were 4.5 ng/mL and 3.4 ng/mL insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.05); and 75 pg/mL and 166 pg/mL insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.01);, respectively. The baseline value of ghrelin insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(81 pg/mL); decreased to 43 pg/mL within 1 week after parturition insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.01);. Serum ghrelin levels increased after 1 week. There was also a significant difference in serum ghrelin levels between control ewes and those a week before parturition in pregnant ewes insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.001);. The NEFA level was higher in pregnant than in control sheep insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.001);. In conclusion, leptin levels tended to decrease during the lactation period, which could be associated with a negative energy balance. Additionally, ghrelin levels tended to gradually increase during lactation to adapt to a negative energy balance. We think that variations in serum leptin and ghrelin might be used to monitor metabolic adaptation during lactation.
Keywords : Leptin, ghrelin, parturition, energy balance, sheep