Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is a regulatory enzyme in lipogenesis. The SCD1 gene is tightly regulated by signals such as insulin, leptin, carbohydrate, fatty acids and temperature. The enzyme is constitutively expressed in adipose tissue and is induced in liver in response to a fat free, high carbohydrate diet. SCD1 expression is higher in female than male mouse. The repression of RNA levels and enzyme activity of hepatic SCD1 by Leptin has been shown to significantly reduce the triglyceride storage, VLDL production and therefore an increase in fatty acid oxidation. Inhibition of SCD1 could be of benefit for treatment of obesity, hepatic steatosis and other metabolic disorders.