Leptin has recently been associated with obesity, but until now it had been found only in humans and other mammals such as pigs, cows and mice. ARS scientists recently discovered that it is also present in chickens. This discovery led scientists to develop a technique to study the hormonal activity of leptin in chickens. Leptin, which regulates appetite and energy expenditure, can lead to extreme obesity, diabetes and infertility if the gene behind leptin production is defective. The new technique, using a process called capillary electrophoresis, pinpoints and measures genetic material that's unique to leptin.
Scientists hope to use the technique to monitor leptin levels in breeder birds.
Maximizing meat and improving production efficiency are major goals for scientists studying chickens. Scientists hope to use their technique to find a way to regulate the leptin levels in chickens and reduce the birds' appetite. This would make it easier to manage broiler production and still provide consumers with quality meat. Commercial industries may eventually use the technique to select birds for feeding behavior that does not affect the growth of young birds.