Chronic loss of ovarian function decreases transport of leptin into mouse brain

Loss of ovarian function, such as occurs with menopause in human beings and ovariectomy in rodents, results in weight gain. Using multiple-time regres sion analysis, a sensitive technique for quantifying blood-to-brain transpo rt of peptides and polypeptides, we found that mice ovariectomized for at l east 5 weeks had markedly reduced entry of the satiety factor leptin into b rain. The rate of entry of leptin into brain remained reduced half a year l ater. The results suggest that the weight gain resulting from loss of ovari an function could be explained by decreased transport of leptin into the br ain. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.