The hypothalamic ventral premammillary nucleus: A key site in leptin's regulation of reproduction

Understanding the Significance of the Hypothalamic Nature of the Subthalamic Nucleus

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an essential component of the basal ganglia and has long been considered to be a part of the ventral thalamus. However, recent neurodevelopmental data indicated that this nucleus is of hypothalamic origin which is now commonly acknowledged. In this work, we aimed to verify whether the inclusion of the STN in the hypothalamus could influence the way we understand and conduct research on the organization of the whole ventral and posterior diencephalon. Developmental and neurochemical data indicate that the STN is part of a larger glutamatergic posterior hypothalamic region that includes the premammillary and mammillary nuclei. The main anatomic characteristic common to this region involves the convergent cortical and pallidal projections that it receives, which is based on the model of the hyperdirect and indirect pathways to the STN. This whole posterior hypothalamic region is then integrated into distinct functional networks that interact with the ventral mesencephalon to adjust behavior depending on external and internal contexts.

Effects of Environment and Lifestyle Factors on Anovulatory Disorder

Anovulatory disorder comprises around 30% of female infertility. The origin of ovulatory failure is rooted in pituitary FSH secretion. Any factor or process that disrupts the finely tuned interactions of hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis can potentially lead to anovulation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified anovulatory disorders into three categories: hypothalamic-pituitary failure, hypothalamic-pituitary dysregulation, and ovarian failure. Due to industrial development, environmental pollution, and global warming, the human living environment has undergone tremendous changes. Industrial waste, noise, pesticides, fertilizers, and vehicular emission are visible pollutants responsible for environmental contamination and ill effects on health of all living systems. A considerable body of research suggests that chemical exposures in the environment or workplace may be associated with endocrine disruption of the synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, or elimination of natural hormones. For instance, some advanced biological mechanisms suggest that heavy metals may affect progesterone production, which possibly disturbs endocrine function in pregnant women. On the other hand, our lifestyle factors have also changed accordingly, which greatly influence overall health and well-being, including fertility. Many lifestyle factors such as nutrition, weight, exercise, and psychological stress can have substantial effects on female ovulation.

Metabolic effects of ghrelin delivery into the hypothalamic ventral premammilary nucleus of male mice

Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid peptide hormone that targets the brain to promote feeding and adiposity. The ghrowth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR1a) is expressed within many hypothalamic nuclei, including the ventral premammillary nucleus (PMV), but the role of GHSR1a signaling in this region is unknown. In order to investigate whether GHSR1a signaling within the PMV modulates energy balance, we implanted osmotic minipumps connected to cannulae that were implanted intracranially and aiming at the PMV. The cannulae delivered either saline or ghrelin (10 µg/day at a flow rate of 0.11μL/h for 28 days) into the PMV of adult male C57BLJ6 mice. We found that chronic infusion of ghrelin into the PMV increased weight gain, promoted the oxidation of carbohydrates as a fuel source and resulted in hyperglycemia, without affecting food intake, or body fat. This suggests that ghrelin signaling in the PMV contributes to the modulation of metabolic fuel utilization and glucose homeostasis.

Cellular taxonomy and spatial organization of the murine ventral posterior hypothalamus

The ventral posterior hypothalamus (VPH) is an anatomically complex brain region implicated in arousal, reproduction, energy balance, and memory processing. However, neuronal cell type diversity within the VPH is poorly understood, an impediment to deconstructing the roles of distinct VPH circuits in physiology and behavior. To address this question, we employed a droplet-based single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) approach to systematically classify molecularly distinct cell populations in the mouse VPH. Analysis of >16,000 single cells revealed 20 neuronal and 18 non-neuronal cell populations, defined by suites of discriminatory markers. We validated differentially expressed genes in selected neuronal populations through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Focusing on the mammillary bodies (MB), we discovered transcriptionally-distinct clusters that exhibit neuroanatomical parcellation within MB subdivisions and topographic projections to the thalamus. This single-cell transcriptomic atlas of VPH cell types provides a resource for interrogating the circuit-level mechanisms underlying the diverse functions of VPH circuits.

Does Size Matters? Relationships among Social Dominance and Some Morphometric Traits upon Out-of-Season Reproductive Outcomes in Anestrus Dairy Goats Treated with P4 + eCG

Simple Summary

The possible role of the social rank (R) (i.e., low-LSR, middle-MSR, or high-HSR) in anestrus goats exposed to a P4 + eCG (D) (i.e., 100 or 350 IU) estrus induction protocol (EIP) upon some reproductive response variables was evaluated. Results confirmed that the high social ranked goats amalgamated some fundamental factors to be successful: augmented live weight and corporal measurements, aggressiveness, primacy to food access, and enhanced reproductive outcomes. Such morphometric, behavioral, growth-related, and reproductive advantages shown by the HSR-goats gave evidence to emphasize the need to better comprehend the biological foundation of relevant animal traits, and to be able to define future balanced management and breeding programs. While we still have a fragmentary knowledge regarding the role that social rank, live weight, and morphometric traits play in reproductive success, this study contributes to understanding how social dominance, aligned to morphological and growth related traits, modulates and even determines out-of-season reproductive success.

Abstract

The possible role of the social rank (R) (i.e., low-LSR, middle-MSR, or high-HSR) in anestrus goats exposed to a P4 + eCG (D) (i.e., 100 or 350 IU) estrus induction protocol (EIP) was evaluated. Goats (Alpine-Saanen-Nubian × Criollo; n = 70; 25° North) managed under stall-fed conditions were all ultrasound evaluated to confirm anestrous status, while the social rank was determined 30 d prior to the EIP. The response variables included estrus induction (EI, %), duration of estrus (DUR, h), ovulation rate (OR, n), live weight (LW, kg), thoracic perimeter (TP, cm), thoracic diameter (TD, cm), body length (BL, cm), height at withers (HW, cm), beard length (BEA, cm), compactness index (COM, cm), and anamorphosis index (ANA, cm), as affected by R, D, and the R × D interaction were evaluated, while the correlation coefficients among reproductive and morphometric variables were quantified. An R × D interaction (p < 0.05) affected the response variables EI, DUR, and OR. While the largest (p < 0.05) EI% occurred in the HSR goats, irrespective of eCG (i.e., 100 or 350 IU), both the shortest estrus duration (DUR, h) and the lowest ovulation rate (OR, n) occurred in the LSR + D100 combination, with no differences among HSR and MSR either with D100 or D350. Regarding the LW and morphometric response variables, (i.e., LW, TP, TD, BL, HW, BEA, COM, and ANA) all of them favored either the HSR and MSR groups, with the lowest phenotypic values occurring in the LSR-goats. The EI% was observed to be positively correlated (p < 0.05) with DUR (0.71), LW (0.28), TP (0.31), TD (0.34), BL (0.33), HW (0.35), COM (0.23), and ANA (0.23). While DUR was correlated (p < 0.05) with TP (0.26) and ANA (0.24), OR demonstrated no-correlation (p > 0.05) with any response variable, either reproductive or morphometric. As expected, LW had high correlation coefficients (p < 0.01) with TP (0.86), TD (0.88), BL (0.82), HW (0.75), BEA (0.51), COM (0.97), and ANA (0.75). In general, the morphometric variables as a whole demonstrated important correlation coefficients among them (p < 0.01), ranging from 0.38 up to 0.84. To estimate the importance of the morphometric differences between social rank upon estrus induction, a principal component (PC) analysis was performed based on the correlation matrix derived from the corporal measurements. The PC1 and PC2 explained 70.3% and 17.6% of the morphometric variation, respectively. The PC1 was a measure of the goat size (i.e., small, medium, large) and its association with estrus occurrence was evaluated using a logistic regression model; the bigger the goat, the increased probability of being in estrus, by up to five times compared to small goats. Our results confirm that the higher social ranked, larger goats amalgamated some fundamental factors to be successful: aggressiveness, primacy to food access, augmented live weight, and corporal size; all of these were able to modulate out-of-season reproductive success in crossbred dairy goats subjected to an estrus induction protocol and managed under stall-fed conditions in Northern Mexico.

Leptin and its actions on reproduction in males

Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, serves numerous physiological functions in the body, particularly during puberty and reproduction. The exact mechanism by which leptin activates the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons to trigger puberty and reproduction remains unclear. Given the widespread distribution of leptin receptors in the body, both central and peripheral mechanisms involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis have been hypothesized. Leptin is necessary for normal reproductive function, but when present in excess, it can have detrimental effects on the male reproductive system. Human and animal studies point to leptin as a link between infertility and obesity, a suggestion that is corroborated by findings of low sperm count, increased sperm abnormalities, oxidative stress, and increased leptin levels in obese men. In addition, daily leptin administration to normal-weight rats has been shown to result in similar abnormalities in sperm parameters. The major pathways causing these abnormalities remain unidentified; however, these adverse effects have been attributed to leptin-induced increased oxidative stress because they are prevented by concurrently administering melatonin. Studies on leptin and its impact on sperm function are highly relevant in understanding and managing male infertility, particularly in overweight and obese men.

Glutamate Supply Reactivates Ovarian Function while Increases Serum Insulin and Triiodothyronine Concentrations in Criollo x Saanen-Alpine Yearlings' Goats during the Anestrous Season

The possible effect of glutamate supplementation upon ovarian reactivation and serum concentrations of insulin (INS) and triiodothyronine (T3) in anestrous yearling goats was evaluated. Goats (n = 32, 12 mo., 26° North, 1117 m) with a similar live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS) were blood sampled twice per week for two weeks (2 × 1 week × 2 weeks) to confirm the anestrus status (<1 ng P4/mL; RIA). Thereafter, goats were randomly assigned to either 1) Glutamate (GLUT; n = 16, LW = 27.1 ± 1.09 kg, 3.5 ± 0.18 units, IV-supplemented with 7 mg of glutamate kg^-1 LW), or 2) Control (CONT; n = 16; LW = 29.2 ± 1.09 kg; BCS = 3.5 ± 0.18, IV saline). During the treatment period, 16 goats (eight/group) were blood sampled twice per week for six weeks. Such serum samples (2 × 1 week × 6 weeks) were quantified by their P4 content to evaluate the ovarian-luteal activity, whereas a sample subset (1 × 1 week × 6 weeks) was used to quantify their INS & T3 content to evaluate their metabolic status. Neither LW (28.19 kg; p > 0.05) nor BCS (3.51 units; p > 0.05) differed between treatments. Goats depicting ovarian reactivation favored the GLUT group (50 vs. 12.5%; p < 0.05). Neither INS (1.72 ± 0.15 ng mL^-1) nor T3 (2.32 ± 0.11 ng mL^-1) differed between treatments, yet a treatment x time interaction regarding INS & T3 concentration across time favored (p < 0.05) the GLUT group. The results unveil exogenous glutamate as an interesting modulator not only of ovarian reactivation, but of metabolic hormone synthesis.

Central growth hormone signaling is not required for the timing of puberty

Growth hormone (GH) is a key factor in the regulation of body growth, as well as a variety of other cellular and metabolic processes. Neurons expressing kisspeptin and leptin receptors (LepR) have been shown to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and are considered GH-responsive. The presence of functional GH receptors (GHR) in these neural populations suggests that GH may regulate the HPG axis via a central mechanism. However, there have been no studies evaluating whether or not GH-induced intracellular signaling in the brain plays a role in the timing of puberty or mediates the ovulatory cycle. Towards the goal of understanding the influence of GH on the central nervous system as a mediator of reproductive functions, GHR ablation was induced in kisspeptin and LepR expressing cells or in the entire brain. The results demonstrated that GH signaling in specific neural populations can potentially modulate the hypothalamic expression of genes related to the reproductive system or indirectly contribute to the progression of puberty. GH action in kisspeptin cells or in the entire brain was not required for sexual maturation. On the other hand, GHR ablation in LepR cells delayed puberty progression, reduced serum leptin levels, decreased body weight gain and compromised the ovulatory cycle in some individuals, while the lack of GH effects in the entire brain prompted shorter estrous cycles. These findings suggest that GH can modulate brain components of the HPG axis, although central GH signaling is not required for the timing of puberty.

Acute effects of somatomammotropin hormones on neuronal components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

Growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) are known as pleiotropic hormones. Accordingly, the distribution of their receptors comprises several organs and tissues, including the central nervous system. The appropriate secretion of both hormones is essential for sexual maturation and maintenance of reproductive functions, while defects in their secretion affect puberty onset and can cause infertility. Conversely, GH therapy at a prepubertal age may accelerate puberty. On the other hand, hyperprolactinemia is a frequent cause of infertility. While the action of PRL in some central components of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis, such as the kisspeptin neurons, has been well documented, the possible effects of GH in the hypothalamus are still elusive. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate whether somatomammotropin hormones are able to modulate the activity of critical neuronal components of the HPG axis, including kisspeptin neurons and cells of the ventral premammillary nucleus (PMv). Our results revealed that GH effects in kisspeptin neurons of the anteroventral periventricular and rostral periventricular nuclei or in PMv neurons relies predominantly on the recruitment of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) rather than through acute changes in resting membrane potential. Importantly, kisspeptin neurons located at the arcuate nucleus were not directly responsive to GH. Additionally, our findings further identified PMv neurons as potential targets of PRL, since PRL induces the phosphorylation of STAT5 and depolarizes PMv neurons. Combined, our data provide evidence that GH and PRL may affect the HPG axis via specific hypothalamic neurons.

Connecting metabolism and gonadal function: Novel central neuropeptide pathways involved in the metabolic control of puberty and fertility

Albeit essential for perpetuation of species, reproduction is an energy-demanding function that can be adjusted to body metabolic status. Reproductive maturation and function can be suppressed in conditions of energy deficit, but can be altered also in situations of persistent energy excess, e.g., morbid obesity. This metabolic-reproductive integration, of considerable pathophysiological relevance to explain different forms of perturbed puberty and sub/infertility, is implemented by the concerted action of numerous central and peripheral regulators, which impinge at different levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, permitting a tight fit between nutritional/energy status and gonadal function. We summarize here the major physiological mechanisms whereby nutritional and metabolic cues modulate the maturation and function of the HPG axis. We will focus on recent progress on the major central neuropeptide pathways, including kisspeptins, neurokinin B and the products of POMC and NPY neurons, which convey metabolic information to GnRH neurons, as major hierarchical hub of our reproductive brain.

Predicting functional neuroanatomical maps from fusing brain networks with genetic information

Functional neuroanatomical maps provide a mesoscale reference framework for studies from molecular to systems neuroscience and psychiatry. The underlying structure-function relationships are typically derived from functional manipulations or imaging approaches. Although highly informative, these are experimentally costly. The increasing amount of publicly available brain and genetic data offers a rich source that could be mined to address this problem computationally. Here, we developed an algorithm that fuses gene expression and connectivity data with functional genetic meta data and exploits cumulative effects to derive neuroanatomical maps related to multi-genic functions. We validated the approach by using public available mouse and human data. The generated neuroanatomical maps recapture known functional anatomical annotations from literature and functional MRI data. When applied to multi-genic meta data from mouse quantitative trait loci (QTL) studies and human neuropsychiatric databases, this method predicted known functional maps underlying behavioral or psychiatric traits. Taken together, genetically weighted connectivity analysis (GWCA) allows for high throughput functional exploration of brain anatomy in silico. It maps functional genetic associations onto brain circuitry for refining functional neuroanatomy, or identifying trait-associated brain circuitry, from genetic data.

Disrupted Leptin Signaling in the Lateral Hypothalamus and Ventral Premammillary Nucleus Alters Insulin and Glucagon Secretion and Protects Against Diet-Induced Obesity

Leptin signaling in the central nervous system, and particularly the arcuate hypothalamic nucleus, is important for regulating energy and glucose homeostasis. However, the roles of extra-arcuate leptin responsive neurons are less defined. In the current study, we generated mice with widespread inactivation of the long leptin receptor isoform in the central nervous system via Synapsin promoter-driven Cre (Lepr(flox/flox) Syn-cre mice). Within the hypothalamus, leptin signaling was disrupted in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) and ventral premammillary nucleus (PMV) but remained intact in the arcuate hypothalamic nucleus and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, and nucleus of the tractus solitarius. To investigate the role of LHA/PMV neuronal leptin signaling, we examined glucose and energy homeostasis in Lepr(flox/flox) Syn-cre mice and Lepr(flox/flox) littermates under basal and diet-induced obese conditions and tested the role of LHA/PMV neurons in leptin-mediated glucose lowering in streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Lepr(flox/flox) Syn-cre mice did not have altered body weight or blood glucose levels but were hyperinsulinemic and had enhanced glucagon secretion in response to experimental hypoglycemia. Surprisingly, when placed on a high-fat diet, Lepr(flox/flox) Syn-cre mice were protected from weight gain, glucose intolerance, and diet-induced hyperinsulinemia. Peripheral leptin administration lowered blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Lepr(flox/flox) Syn-cre mice as effectively as in Lepr(flox/flox) littermate controls. Collectively these findings suggest that leptin signaling in LHA/PMV neurons is not critical for regulating glucose levels but has an indispensable role in the regulation of insulin and glucagon levels and, may promote the development of diet-induced hyperinsulinemia and weight gain.

Leptin and its potential interest in assisted reproduction cycles

BACKGROUND

Leptin, an adipose hormone, has been shown to control energy homeostasis and food intake, and exert many actions on female reproductive function. Consequently, this adipokine is a pivotal factor in studies conducted on animal models and humans to decipher the mechanisms behind the infertility often observed in obese women.

METHODS

A systematic PubMed search was conducted on all articles, published up to January 2015 and related to leptin and its actions on energy balance and reproduction, using the following key words: leptin, reproduction, infertility, IVF and controlled ovarian stimulation. The available literature was reviewed in order to provide an overview of the current knowledge on the physiological roles of leptin, its involvement in female reproductive function and its potential interest as a prognostic marker in IVF cycles.

RESULTS

Animal and human studies show that leptin communicates nutritional status to the central nervous system and emerging evidence has demonstrated that leptin is involved in the control of reproductive functions by acting both directly on the ovaries and indirectly on the central nervous system. With respect to the clinical use of leptin as a biomarker in IVF cycles, a systematic review of the literature suggested its potential interest as a predictor of IVF outcome, as high serum and/or follicular fluid leptin concentrations have correlated negatively with cycle outcome. However, these preliminary results remain to be confirmed.

CONCLUSION

Leptin regulates energy balance and female reproductive function, mainly through its action on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function, whose molecular and cellular aspects are progressively being deciphered. Preliminary studies evaluating leptin as a biomarker in human IVF seem promising but need further confirmation.

Identification of histaminergic neurons through histamine 3 receptor-mediated autoinhibition

Using a reporter mouse model with expression of the tomato fluorescent protein under the dopamine transporter promoter (Tmt-DAT) we discovered a new group of neurons in the histaminergic tuberomamillary nucleus (TMN), which, in contrast to tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons of the dorsomedial arcuate nucleus, do not express tyrosine hydroxylase but can synthesize and store dopamine. Tmt-DAT neurons located within TMN share electrophysiological properties with histaminergic neurons: spontaneous firing at a membrane potential around -50 mV and presence of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels. Histamine (30 μM) depolarizes and excites Tmt-DAT neurons through H1R activation but inhibits histaminergic neurons through H3R activation thus allowing a pharmacological identification of the different neurons. Single-cell RT-PCR revealed that all histaminergic neurons expressing histidine decarboxylase (HDC) also express H3R. This includes neurons retrogradely traced from the striatum whose inhibition by a selective H3R agonist was indistinguishable from the whole population. Prolonged depolarization reduces the autoinhibition. The potency of histamine at H3R depends on membrane potential and on extracellular and intracellular calcium. Autoinhibition can be impaired by preincubation with capsaicin, a ligand of the calcium-permeable TRPV1 channel or by blockade of Ca(2+)-ATPase with thapsigargin. The pharmacology of autoinhibition is revisited and physiological conditions for its functionality are determined. Usage of reporter mouse models for the safe identification of aminergic neurons under pathophysiological conditions is recommended. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Histamine Receptors'.