Abstract: In order to investigate the role of Neuropeptide Y (NPY), Agouti Aelated Peptide (AgRP), Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART) peptide expression in hypothalamic neuropeptide in body mass regulation in Tupaia belangeri under different photoperiods, body mass, body fat mass, food intake, serum leptin levels and hypothalamic neuropeptide expression were measured. It showed that short photoperiod increased body mass and body fat mass, and increased food intake. But serum leptin levels showed no significant differences between two groups, and leptin levels showed a positive correlation with body fat mass. Hypothalamic neuropeptide NPY had significant difference, but AgRP, POMC and CART expression had not significant differences between two groups. All of the results suggested that short photoperiod can increase the body mass, body fat mass and food intake. Leptin may play an regulation on body mass regulation by acting on hypothalamic neuropeptide of NPY expression in T. belangeri.

Key words: Tupaia belangeri, hypothalamus, neuropeptide, serum leptin levels