Fig. 8. Regulation of resistin mRNA expression in rat testis by the nutritional status and the adipocyte-derived hormone, leptin. (A) A representative RT-PCR assay is presented of the testicular expression levels of resistin mRNA in male rats fed ad libitum and after short-term (48 hours) fasting. Animals were infused centrally with recombinant human leptin (Lep; 15 µg/day) or vehicle (C), for 7 days. (B) Quantitative values of resistin mRNA levels in the experimental groups, determined by real-time RT-PCR, are presented as the mean±s.e.m. of at least four independent determinations. a,b and c denote groups that are statistically different (P<0.01; ANOVA followed by Tukey's test).