Leptin

The Key to Beef Heifer Puberty and Its Enhancement by Monensin

Authors

  • Jerome Baker Coastal Plain Experiment Station, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, The University of Georgia, Tifton, Georgia 31793
  • Dan T. Brown College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, The University of Georgia, Blairsville, Georgia
  • Mel Pence Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory and Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Tifton, Georgia 31793
  • Rhonda Vann Mississippi State University, Raymond, MS 39154
  • Duane H. Keisler Department of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20025027

Keywords:

Lutenizing hormone, leptin, energy resource, body maintenance, puberty, reproduction

Abstract

Lutenizing hormone production and pulse frequency are the keys to initiating puberty in heifers. Thus, leptin appears to be a key element in partitioning of energy resources in direct response to energy availability. Energy partitioning in the bovine allocates available energy first to body maintenance, and as more energy becomes available, to growth, then to lactation and lastly to reproduction. Fat reserves accumulate as energy becomes abundant. The production of leptin by adipocytes affects leptin concentration at the neuro-receptor site level, and that determines how energy resources are partitioned. If this concept is accurate, then a threshold level of leptin, greater than that required to maintain body homeostasis and provide for growth, must be available to initiate the onset of puberty in beef heifers.

Cover image of the 35th Conference Proceedings: Holstein cows standing in a row at a fence. A small group of cattle are bunched together in a pen. Yellow background.

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Published

2002-09-26

Issue

2002

Section

Research Summaries - Beef