Abstract
Leptin, the product ofobgene, beside its key role in the control of body weight and food consumption, can be involved in the control of embryonic development. Leptin administrationin ovoaccelerated the embryonic and post-embryonic development in Japanese quail. Although the mechanisms of leptin effects on growth and development acceleration are not clear, stimulation of angiogenesis represents one of plausible explanations. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the pro-angiogenic effect of leptinin vivoin the quail chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). The recombinant murine leptin (10, 100, and 1000 ng) was applied eitherex ovoon the CAM surface ofex ovoincubated embryos at embryonic day 7 (ED7) orin ovointo the egg albumen at ED5. Changes in blood vessels were quantified by the fractal analysis providing the fractal dimension (Df) estimate. Leptin administeredin ovowas more efficient in stimulation of angiogenesis than theex ovotreatment, since 10 ng dose elicited significantly higher (P< 0.001) stimulation of vessel development of the CAM under the air cell than it did afterex ovocultivation. Our study confirmed that exogenously applied leptin was able to stimulate angiogenesis in CAM. Leptin-mediated stimulation of angiogenesis may improve nutrient utilization from the yolk and explain at least partially the accelerating effect of leptin on avian embryo growth and development.
Highlights
Angiogenesis is a process that refers to the growth of new blood vessels from a preexisting vasculature
We found a significant dose-dependent effect of leptin on chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) angiogenesis in both in vivo experimental models
In the ex ovo model the dose of 10 ng of leptin administered onto the CAM surface did not influence the vessel density but the doses of 100 and 1000 ng significantly stimulated angiogenesis (Fig. 3)
Summary
Angiogenesis is a process that refers to the growth of new blood vessels from a preexisting vasculature It is closely associated with endothelial cell migration and proliferation. Leptin is an adipocytokine with pleiotropic effects It is produced predominantly in adipocytes and its major role in mammals is the control of food intake and energy expenditure (Campfield et al 1995). Since both processes are of key importance for farm animals, possible roles of leptin in the neuroendocrine control of these species have been studied (Máčajová et al 2004).
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