Fatemeh Sabet Sarvestani - Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Amin Tamadon - Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Transgenic Te.chnology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Aida Hematzadeh - Transgenic Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Maliheh Jahanara - Transgenic Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Mohammad Reza Jafarzadeh Shirazi - Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Ali Moghadam - Biotechnology Institute, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Ali Niazi - Biotechnology Institute, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Reza Moghiminasr - Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at the Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

Objective: Melanocortin-۴ receptor (MC۴R) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) are involved in energy homeostasis in the rat. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of MC۴R and AgRP mRNAs in arcuate nucleus (ARC) during long term malnutrition of female ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods: Ten female ovariectomized rats were divided into two equal groups (n=۶) of normal and restricted diet groups. Using real-time PCR, the relative expressions (compared to controls) of MC۴R and AgRP mRNAs were compared between both diet groups. Results: The relative expression of MC۴R and AgRP mRNA in the ARC of female ovariectomized rats during long term malnutrition was higher than those with normal diet (P<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Changes in the relative expression level of MC۴R and AgRP mRNAs during long term malnutrition of rat indicated a stimulatory role of MC۴R and AgRP in regulating energy balance in ARC of rat hypothalamus.

Agouti-related peptide, Hypothalamus, Malnutrition, Melanocortin-۴ receptor, Rat