Immunohistochemical location of leptin receptor in the central nervous system of rats

Objective: To observe the location of leptin receptors (LR) in the brain of SD rats. Methods: Immunohistochemical ABC method was used with high-specify-goat antiserum against LR. Results: LR immunoreactivities (LR-IR) were observed in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, the choroid plexus, cerebral cortex and thalmus. In the supraoptic nucleus, arcuate nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus and basallateral nucleus of amygdala, strongly LR-immunoreative neurons were found present. Weaker LR-IR neurons were found in the lateral preoptic nucleus of hypothalamus and amygdaloid central nucleus. Conclusion: LR is widely found in the central nervous system of rats, including hypothalamus and amygdala, which are closely related to feeding and taste.