The role of leptin in the male reproductive system

Abstract

Leptin is a hormone produced from adipose tissue, targeting the hypothalamus and regulating energy expenditure, adipose tissue mass, and reproductive function. Leptin concentration reflects body weight and the amount of energy stored, as well as the level of reproductive hormones and male fertility. In this review, the aim was to focus on leptin signaling mechanisms and the significant influence of leptin on the male reproductive system and to summarize the current knowledge of clinical and experimental studies. The PubMed database was searched for studies on leptin and the male reproductive system to summarize the mechanism of leptin in the male reproductive system. Studies have shown that obesity-related, high leptin levels or leptin resistance negatively affects male reproductive functions. Leptin directly affects the testis by binding to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and the receptors of testicular cells, and thus the location of leptin receptors plays a key role in the regulation of the male reproductive system with the negative feedback mechanism between adipose tissue and hypothalamus. Based on the current evidence, leptin may totally inhibit male reproduction, and investigation of this role of leptin has established a potential interaction between obesity and male infertility. The mechanism of leptin in the male reproductive system should be further investigated and possible treatments for subfertility should be evaluated, supported by better understanding of leptin and associated signaling mechanisms.

Keywords: Leptin; male reproductive system; obesity.

Figure 1

Leptin plays a role in maintaining energy balance and regulating body mass AGRP: Agouti-related peptide, NPY: Neuropeptide Y

Figure 2

Mechanism of leptin actions on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis GnRH: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, FSH: follicle stimulating hormone, LH: Luteinizing hormone

Figure 3

Metabolic cooperation between Sertoli cells (SCs) and developing germ cells GLUTs: Glucose transporters, PFK: Phosphofructokinase, PDH: Pyruvate dehydrogenase, LDH: Lactate dehydrogenase, ALT: Alanine aminotransferase, MCT: Monocarboxylate transporters

Figure 4

Excess leptin leads to increased ROS via the PI3K\AKT signaling pathway ROS: Reactive oxygen species, PI3K: Phosphoinositide 3-kinases, HTRA2: High-temperature requirement-A2, AIF: Apoptosis-inducing factor