Leptin and Reproduction

• I Introduction.- 1 Leptin: From Satiety Signal to Reproductive Regulator.- II General Reproductive Function.- 2 Neuroendocrine Regulation of Leptin Secretion and Its Role in Nitric Oxide Secretion.- 3 Endocrine Regulation of Leptin Production.- 4 Regulation and Roles of Leptin during the Menstrual Cycle and in Menopause.- 5 Impact of Leptin on Ovarian Folliculogenesis and Assisted Reproduction.- 6 The Effect of Leptin on Ovarian Steroidogenesis.- 7 Regulation of Leptin and Leptin Receptor in the Human Uterus: Possible Roles in Implantation and Uterine Pathology.- 8 Leptin and Reproduction in the Male.- III Puberty.- 9 Leptin and Pubertal Development in Higher Primates.- 10 Leptin and Pubertal Development in Humans.- 11 Integration of Leptin with Other Signals Regulating the Timing of Puberty: Lessons Learned from the Sheep Model.- IV Pregnancy.- 12 Leptin and Fetal Growth and Development.- 13 Leptin in the Placenta.- 14 Leptin in Rodent Pregnancy.- 15 Leptin in Primate Pregnancy.- V Genetics.- 16 Genetics and Physiology Link Leptin to the Reproductive System.- 17 Leptin and the Onset of Puberty: Insights from Rodent and Human Genetics.- VI Clinical Challenges.- 18 Does Leptin Play a Role in Preeclampsia?.- 19 Leptin and Hypothalamic Amenorrhea.- 20 The Role of Leptin in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

"...this treatise serves as an essential reference which compiles in a single volume, the multiple effects of leptin." (Virendra B. Mahesh, Ph.D., D.Phil., Medical College of Georgia, Augusta) "This is a wonderful, timely and comprehensive volume. It provides source material and references for the new investigator to this area, provides challenges and provokes new thoughts and ideas to the established investigator, and it clearly takes forward the role of leptin as being much more than just an appetite hormone, but a critical regulator of physiologic functions. I congratulate all the authors, and the editors on this superb volume." (John R.G. Challis, D.Sc., F.R.S.C., University of Toronto, Canada) "This book is an extremely useful resource for summarizing an important and rapidly growing field. It covers a broad range of topics related to leptin and reproduction, including major sections devoted to general reproductive function, puberty, pregnancy and genetics. The final section, Clinical Challenges, includes discussion of the potential roles of leptin in pre-eclampsia, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.[...] The editors are leaders in this field and have made an obvious effort to present each chapter in a consistent style and layout, with appropriate and sufficient use of real data and, in some cases, images. [...]Leptin and Reproduction is encompassing and analytical, and a valuable resource for anyone studying the importance of leptin in reproduction." (Laura C. Schulz and Eric P. Widmaier, Dept. of Biology, Boston University, MA)