LEPTIN IS ONE OF THE NEWLY DISCOVERED HORMONES.  IT IS APPARENTLY PRODUCED BY ADIPOSE CELLS AND PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SUPRESSING APPETITE.  THE HORMONE TRAVELS FROM THE FAT CELLS TO THE  BRAIN WHERE IT ACTS AS A SIGNAL TO HELP REGULATING FEEDING CYCLES. 

LEPTIN SECRETION APPEAR TO BE LINKED TO ENERGY STORAGE IN THE ADIPOSE TISSUES.  AS ENERGY STORES DECREASE IN THE ADIPOSE TISSUES, LEPTIN LEVELS DECREASE CAUSING A INCREASE IN APPETITE AND A DECREASE IN METABOLISM.

RESEARCHERS ARE EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF LEPTIN ON FEMALE FERTILITY, MENSTRUATION AND BONE HOMEOSTASIS.