Leptin stimulates production of which molecule that triggers puberty?

Leptin stimulates production of which molecule that triggers puberty?

• A. Kisspeptin
• B. Melatonin
• C. Growth Hormone
• D. GnRH

Answer: (A)

Leptin signals that the body has enough energy reserves to begin puberty, and it does this by acting on kisspeptin-producing neurons. When kisspeptin is produced, it strongly stimulates GnRH neurons to release GnRH, which then prompts the pituitary to release LH and FSH and kick off the puberty process. So the molecule leptin stimulates to trigger puberty is kisspeptin. Melatonin is tied to circadian rhythms and seasonal cycles, not this leptin-driven puberty pathway. Growth hormone rises during puberty but isn’t the direct mediator of leptin’s puberty signal. GnRH is the downstream hormone that drives puberty, but the trigger from leptin is kisspeptin, which then activates GnRH.

Leptin signals that the body has enough energy reserves to begin puberty, and it does this by acting on kisspeptin-producing neurons. When kisspeptin is produced, it strongly stimulates GnRH neurons to release GnRH, which then prompts the pituitary to release LH and FSH and kick off the puberty process. So the molecule leptin stimulates to trigger puberty is kisspeptin.

Melatonin is tied to circadian rhythms and seasonal cycles, not this leptin-driven puberty pathway. Growth hormone rises during puberty but isn’t the direct mediator of leptin’s puberty signal. GnRH is the downstream hormone that drives puberty, but the trigger from leptin is kisspeptin, which then activates GnRH.