Plasma Leptin Level in Correlation To Sex Hormones and Pregnancy in Rats

This research was planned to study the plasma leptin levelcorrelated to sex hormones during pregnancy in female rats.The study was carried out at the Animal Health Research Institute,Chemistry Department, Dokki.In the present study 55 mature albino rats (50 females and 5 males)weighted (150 ±10 gm) were used. The female rats were kept separatedfrom male rats.Vaginal smears were performed daily for three consecutive estrouscycles. And detection the phases of estrous cycle(proestrus,estrus,metestrus,and diestrus) for all female rats.Then,female.: -rats with estous stage were mated over night and the morning on which avaginal plug was Present was designated as Day one of pregnancy”(term=21 days).Blood samples were collected from five animals at ’each stage of theestrous cycle (proestr6us,estrous,metesrtous, and diestrous).And from thepregnant rats at 1 st,8th, 15th and 20th day of pregnancy.Moreover, blood sample were collected immediately afterparturition. The collection blood samples was performed at the same timealong the experiment Blood samples were collected from the orbital sinusvein of each rat under ether anesthesia by the use of heparinized capillarytube,Plasma was separated and used for determination the level of thefollowing hormones: