LEP and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: In addition, LEP is known to negatively impact reproductive function; obesity promotes LEP secretion from adipose tissue, which in turn acts on the pituitary gland to induce the secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, thereby overstimulating the ovaries, reducing ovarian reserves, and impairing female reproductive function (e.g.,47).