Growth hormone (GH) is known to interact with adipose tissue and to induce lipolysis. Adipocytes produce leptin which regulates appetite and energy expenditure. In order to elucidate the role of GH in leptin production, we studied the effect of GH on leptin gene expression and body fat in fatty Zucker rats, a model of obesity with resistance to both leptin and insulin. Recombinant human GH administered subcutaneously at 0.5 mg/kg per day (low dose) as well as at 1.65 mg/kg per day (high dose) reduced leptin mRNA levels in epididymal fat tissue but not in subcutaneous fat tissue after 7 days. GH administration only at the high dose reduced percentage body fat. Insulin-like growth factor-I infusion (200 microg/kg per day) did not change percentage body fat or leptin mRNA levels in epididymal fat. These observations suggest that GH directly interacts with adipose tissue and reduces leptin gene expression in visceral fat tissue.