Leptin and ghrelin expressions in the gastrointestinal tracts of calves and cows.

This study aims to investigate and compare the expressions of leptin and ghrelin in the gastrointestinal tracts of calves and cows. The mRNA expression of leptin in the rumen, abomasum, and jejunum of calves was significantly higher than that in cows. In both calves and cows, abomasum ghrelin mRNA expression was significantly higher than that in other gastrointestinal tracts. In calves, leptin protein expression in the abomasum was the highest. In addition, leptin protein expression in the abomasum and jejunum of calves was significantly higher than that in cows. Results indicated that leptin in the abomasum and jejunum plays an important role during the suckling period in a ruminant.