Authors : Cai Zhao-Wei, Zhao Xiao-Feng, Yao Yu-Chang, Jiang Xiao-Ling, Zhang Li-Fan, *Xu Ning-Ying and Wu Chang-Xing
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of castration on the gene expression of leptin and leptin receptor in the hypothalamus from male pigs. Sixteen pairs of pigs were used in our experiment. Each pair was composed of two male full sibs, one of which was castrated at 35 days old and the other remained intact. Eight pairs of pigs were slaughtered at 147 and 210 days old, respectively. Boars weighed more than barrows at 210 days old. However, barrows ate more feed and showed higher carcass fat weight, leaf fat weight and average back fat thickness at 147 and 210 days old. Higher serum leptin but lower testosterone concentration was found in castrated pigs as compared to intact pigs. Castration induced an increase in Ob mRNA in both subcutaneous fat and leaf fat tissue in male pigs. However, there were no differences in hypothalamic expression of Ob-Rb between barrows and boars. These results suggest that castration may influence leptin sensitivity in male pigs.
Cai Zhao-Wei, Zhao Xiao-Feng, Yao Yu-Chang, Jiang Xiao-Ling, Zhang Li-Fan, *Xu Ning-Ying and Wu Chang-Xing, 2010. Castration Modulates Leptin and its Receptor in the Hypothalamus from Male Pigs. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 9: 1696-1701.