Pregnancy stage and number of fetuses may influence maternal plasma leptin in ewes.

Maternal plasma leptin is elevated in ewes during pregnancy. The authors studied whether there was any relation between maternal plasma leptin and insulin concentrations, the number of fetuses and the circulating and faecal levels of gestagens. At the end of the breeding season in January the ovarian activity of Prolific Merino ewes was induced/synchronised with gestagen + eCG treatment.

Development of radioimmunoassay for the measurement of human leptin in serum.

Background: Leptin is a 16 kDa polypeptide hormone encoded by the obese gene (ob) and secreted by adipose tissue. This hormone plays a major role in energy homeostasis and regulation of food intake and body weight. It also affects the metabolic, neuroendocrine and reproductive systems.

Diagnostic sensitivity of three tumour markers in non-small cell lung cancer: a pilot study.

Background: Three tumour markers (CEA, CYFRA 21.1 and CA125) were evaluated for diagnostic sensitivity in newly diagnosed, untreated non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods: In the 24 patients studied, the tumours were classified histologically as 15 squamous cell carcinomas and 9 adenocarcinomas.