ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of leptin and its receptor in the epididymis of experimental varicocele (EV) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: 4-week EV (n = 12), 8-week EV (n = 12), 4-week control (n = 8), and 8-week control (n = 8). EV models were established by partial ligation of the left renal vein. The expressions of leptin and its receptor in the rat epididymis were measured by immunohistochemistry, and their mRNA expressions determined by real-time quantitative PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expressions of leptin and its receptor in the epididymis were significantly higher in the 4- and 8-week EV groups than in the 4- and 8-week control groups (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the two EV groups (P > 0.05). So were their mRNA expressions in the former two than in the latter two groups (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the former two (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expressions of leptin and its receptor are markedly increased in the epididymis of varicocele rats. Leptin may be involved in the mechanisms of varicocele inducing male infertility.</p>