1
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Athar F, Karmani M, Templeman N. Metabolic hormones are integral regulators of female reproductive health and function. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20231916. [PMID: 38131197 PMCID: PMC10830447 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The female reproductive system is strongly influenced by nutrition and energy balance. It is well known that food restriction or energy depletion can induce suppression of reproductive processes, while overnutrition is associated with reproductive dysfunction. However, the intricate mechanisms through which nutritional inputs and metabolic health are integrated into the coordination of reproduction are still being defined. In this review, we describe evidence for essential contributions by hormones that are responsive to food intake or fuel stores. Key metabolic hormones-including insulin, the incretins (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1), growth hormone, ghrelin, leptin, and adiponectin-signal throughout the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis to support or suppress reproduction. We synthesize current knowledge on how these multifaceted hormones interact with the brain, pituitary, and ovaries to regulate functioning of the female reproductive system, incorporating in vitro and in vivo data from animal models and humans. Metabolic hormones are involved in orchestrating reproductive processes in healthy states, but some also play a significant role in the pathophysiology or treatment strategies of female reproductive disorders. Further understanding of the complex interrelationships between metabolic health and female reproductive function has important implications for improving women's health overall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faria Athar
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Muskan Karmani
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Nicole M. Templeman
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
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2
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Belén Poretti M, Bianconi S, Luque E, Martini AC, Vincenti L, Cantarelli V, Torres P, Ponzio M, Schiöth HB, Carlini VP. Role of the hypothalamus in ghrelin effects on reproduction: sperm function and sexual behavior in male mice. Reproduction 2023; 165:123-134. [PMID: 36322468 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In brief Ghrelin signals to the hypothalamus inhibit reproduction during times of food scarcity. In this study, we demonstrate that ghrelin impairs sperm quality in male mice. Abstract Ghrelin (GHRL) is an orexigenic peptide that has been investigated as one of the signals responsible for the reproductive performance of mammals under fluctuating metabolic conditions. Central GHRL administration impairs spermatogenesis in mice by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function. In the present study, the hypothalamus role as a mediator of GHRL effects on sperm fertilizing capacity and male sexual behavior was evaluated. After 42 days of hypothalamic GHRL infusion or artificial cerebrospinal fluid, in vitro and in vivo sperm fertilizing capacity, testicular α-tubulin, speriolin gene expression and spermatic α-tubulin protein were evaluated. Hypothalamic expression of genes Kiss1, Gpr54 and Gnrh was also studied. The second group of animals was infused with one time only GHRL or artificial cerebrospinal fluid into the hypothalamus to evaluate the effects on sexual behavior. Results demonstrated that chronic GHRL administration to male mice significantly increased the percentages of pre-implantation embryo loss and the number of post-implantation embryo loss. In relation to the gene expression, our results show a relative decrease of Kiss1, Gpr54 and Spatc1. Although no significant differences were observed in the quantitative expression of α-tubulin protein, qualitative changes in its expression pattern were observed. In addition, a dual effect on sexual behavior was observed: 40% of the treated animals showed a significant reduction in the number of mounts and intromissions, while a 60% showed a significant decrease in ejaculation latency vs control animals. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that central GHRL administration possibly induces failure in embryo development and/or implantation in the females mated with treated males, possibly because of a negative effect in the α-tubulin pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Poretti
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.,Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Santiago Bianconi
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.,Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eugenia Luque
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ana Carolina Martini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Vincenti
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Veronica Cantarelli
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Pedro Torres
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Marina Ponzio
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Valeria Paola Carlini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.,Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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3
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The Role of the Gastric Hormones Ghrelin and Nesfatin-1 in Reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011059
expr 982648605 + 846360072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin and nesfatin-1 are enteroendocrine peptide hormones expressed in rat X/A-like and human P/D1cells of the gastric mucosa. Besides their effect on food intake, both peptides are also implicated in various other physiological systems. One of these is the reproductive system. This present review illustrates the distribution of ghrelin and nesfatin-1 along the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, their modulation by reproductive hormones, and effects on reproductive functions as well as highlighting gaps in current knowledge to foster further research.
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4
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The Role of the Gastric Hormones Ghrelin and Nesfatin-1 in Reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11059. [PMID: 34681721 PMCID: PMC8539660 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011059&set/a 934136356+984013925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin and nesfatin-1 are enteroendocrine peptide hormones expressed in rat X/A-like and human P/D1cells of the gastric mucosa. Besides their effect on food intake, both peptides are also implicated in various other physiological systems. One of these is the reproductive system. This present review illustrates the distribution of ghrelin and nesfatin-1 along the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, their modulation by reproductive hormones, and effects on reproductive functions as well as highlighting gaps in current knowledge to foster further research.
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5
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Schalla MA, Stengel A. The Role of the Gastric Hormones Ghrelin and Nesfatin-1 in Reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011059. [PMID: 34681721 PMCID: PMC8539660 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin and nesfatin-1 are enteroendocrine peptide hormones expressed in rat X/A-like and human P/D1cells of the gastric mucosa. Besides their effect on food intake, both peptides are also implicated in various other physiological systems. One of these is the reproductive system. This present review illustrates the distribution of ghrelin and nesfatin-1 along the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, their modulation by reproductive hormones, and effects on reproductive functions as well as highlighting gaps in current knowledge to foster further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha A. Schalla
- Charité Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Department for Psychosomatic Medicine, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Andreas Stengel
- Charité Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Department for Psychosomatic Medicine, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany;
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Correspondence:
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6
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Torres PJ, Luque EM, Di Giorgio NP, Ramírez ND, Ponzio MF, Cantarelli V, Carlini VP, Lux-Lantos V, Martini AC. Fetal Programming Effects of a Mild Food Restriction During Pregnancy in Mice: How Does It Compare to Intragestational Ghrelin Administration? Reprod Sci 2021; 28:3547-3561. [PMID: 33856666 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00574-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
To explore in mice if a 15% food restriction protocol during pregnancy programs the offspring postnatal development, with emphasis on reproductive function, and to assess if ghrelin (Ghrl) administration to mouse dams exerts effects that mimic those obtained under mild caloric restriction. Mice were 15% food-restricted, injected with 4 nmol/animal/day of Ghrl, or injected with the vehicle (control) thorough pregnancy. After birth, the pups did not receive further treatment. Pups born from food-restricted dams (FR pups) were lighter than Ghrl pups at birth, but reached normal weight at adulthood. Ghrl pups were heavier at birth and gained more weight than control pups (C pups). This effect was not associated with plasma IGF-1. FR pups showed a delay in pinna detachment and eye opening, while an advance was observed in Ghrl pups. FR pups showed also impairment in the surface-righting reflex. In both female FR and Ghrl pups, there was an advance in vaginal opening and, in adulthood, FR pups showed a significant decrease in their own litter size and plasma progesterone, and an increase in embryo loss. A delay in testicular descent was evident in male Ghrl pups. Changes in puberty onset were not associated with differences in the expression of Kiss1 in hypothalamic nuclei. Finally, in adulthood, FR pups showed a significant decrease in sperm quality. In conclusion, a mild food restriction thorough gestation exerted programming effects on the offspring, affecting also their reproductive function in adulthood. These effects were not similar to those of intragestational Ghrl administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Javier Torres
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, e Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA; CONICET-UNC), Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Eugenia Mercedes Luque
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, e Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA; CONICET-UNC), Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Noelia Paula Di Giorgio
- Laboratorio de Neuroendocrinología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, (IBYME; CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, Buenos Aires, C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Nicolás David Ramírez
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, e Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA; CONICET-UNC), Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Marina Flavia Ponzio
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, e Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA; CONICET-UNC), Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Verónica Cantarelli
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, e Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA; CONICET-UNC), Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Valeria Paola Carlini
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, e Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA; CONICET-UNC), Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Victoria Lux-Lantos
- Laboratorio de Neuroendocrinología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, (IBYME; CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, Buenos Aires, C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Ana Carolina Martini
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, e Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA; CONICET-UNC), Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU, Córdoba, Argentina.
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7
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Hyland L, Park SB, Abdelaziz Y, Abizaid A. Metabolic effects of ghrelin delivery into the hypothalamic ventral premammilary nucleus of male mice. Physiol Behav 2021; 228:113208. [PMID: 33068562 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Hyland
- Carleton University, Department of Neuroscience, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Su-Bin Park
- Carleton University, Department of Neuroscience, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Yosra Abdelaziz
- Carleton University, Department of Neuroscience, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alfonso Abizaid
- Carleton University, Department of Neuroscience, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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8
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Bianconi S, Stutz G, Solís MR, Martini AC, Vincenti LM, Ponzio MF, Luque E, Avendaño C, Quiroga P, Santillán ME. Maternal and postnatal high-fat diets with high ω6 : ω3 ratios affect the reproductive performance of male offspring in the mouse. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 30:1491-1502. [PMID: 29791833 DOI: 10.1071/rd17552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
High-fat diets (HFDs) are an acknowledged risk factor for male subfertility, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study we compared the effects of two HFDs with different ω6:ω3 ratios, one enriched with soy oil (SOD; ω6:ω3=9.62) and another enriched with sunflower oil (SFOD; ω6:ω3=51.55), with those of a commercial diet (CD; ω6:ω3=19.87), supplied from pregnancy to adulthood, on morphometric parameters and reproductive performance in adult male mice (recommended ω6:ω3 for rodents=1-6). Bodyweight was significantly higher in the SFOD than CD group, and relative testicular weight was significantly lower in the SFOD than the other two groups. SFOD altered sperm performance: it reduced sperm viability (mean±s.e.m.; 76.00±1.35% vs 82.50±1.45% and 80.63±1.00% in the SFOD vs CD and SOD groups respectively; P<0.05) and increased the percentage of immature spermatozoa (71.88±7.17% vs 51.38±5.87% and 48.00±5.72% in the SFOD vs CD and SOD groups respectively; P<0.05). The epididymal ω6:ω3 ratio was higher in the SFOD versus CD and SOD groups, whereas the unsaturation index was higher in the SOD and SFOD groups than in CD group. Sperm membrane integrity was diminished in both the SOD and SFOD groups, but there was no difference in sperm reactive oxygen species production in these two groups compared with the CD group. The fertilisation rate was lower in the SFOD compared with the CD and SOD groups. In conclusion, although both HFDs affected sperm quality, the fertilising ability was more altered by the excessive dietary ω6:ω3 ratio than by the net ω6 content.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bianconi
- Instituto y Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU - Córdoba, Argentina
| | - G Stutz
- Instituto y Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU - Córdoba, Argentina
| | - M R Solís
- Instituto y Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU - Córdoba, Argentina
| | - A C Martini
- Instituto y Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU - Córdoba, Argentina
| | - L M Vincenti
- Instituto y Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU - Córdoba, Argentina
| | - M F Ponzio
- Instituto y Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU - Córdoba, Argentina
| | - E Luque
- Instituto y Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU - Córdoba, Argentina
| | - C Avendaño
- Instituto y Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU - Córdoba, Argentina
| | - P Quiroga
- Cátedra de Biología Celular, Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Enrique Barros y Enfermera Gordillo s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - M E Santillán
- Instituto y Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU - Córdoba, Argentina
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9
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Bianconi S, Santillán ME, Solís MDR, Martini AC, Ponzio MF, Vincenti LM, Schiöth HB, Carlini VP, Stutz G. Effects of dietary omega-3 PUFAs on growth and development: Somatic, neurobiological and reproductive functions in a murine model. J Nutr Biochem 2018; 61:82-90. [PMID: 30189366 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) are relevant to fetal and infant growth and development. Objective: to assess whether long-term exposure to dietary ω-3 PUFA imbalance alters pre- and/or postnatal pups' development and reproductive function later in life. Mice dams were fed with ω-3 PUFA Control (soybean oil, 7%), Deficient (sunflower oil, 7%) or Excess (blend oil; 4.2% cod-liver+2.8% soybean) diet before conception and throughout gestation-lactation and later on, their pups received the same diet from weaning to adulthood. Offspring somatic, neurobiological and reproductive parameters were evaluated. Excess pups were lighter during the preweaning period and shorter in length from postnatal day (PND) 7 to 49, compared to Control pups (P<.05). On PND14, the percentage of pups with eye opening in Excess group was lower than those from Control and Deficient groups (P<.05). In Excess female offspring, puberty onset (vaginal opening and first estrus) occurred significantly later and the percentage of parthenogenetic oocytes on PND63 was higher than Control and Deficient ones (P<.05). Deficient pups were shorter in length (males: on PND14, 21, 35 and 49; females: on PND14, 21 and 42) compared with Control pups (P<.05). Deficient offspring exhibited higher percentage of bending spermatozoa compared to Control and Excess offspring (P<.05). These results show that either an excessively high or insufficient ω-3 PUFA consumption prior to conception until adulthood seems inadvisable because of the potential risks of short-term adverse effects on growth and development of the progeny or long-lasting effects on their reproductive maturation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Bianconi
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - María E Santillán
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Del Rosario Solís
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ana C Martini
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Marina F Ponzio
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura M Vincenti
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Valeria P Carlini
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Graciela Stutz
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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10
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Poretti MB, Frautschi C, Luque E, Bianconi S, Martini AC, Stutz G, Vincenti L, Santillán ME, Ponzio M, Schiöth HB, Fiol de Cuneo M, Carlini VP. Reproductive performance of male mice after hypothalamic ghrelin administration. Reproduction 2018; 156:121-132. [PMID: 29794024 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that food intake and reproductive physiology are both simultaneously modulated to optimize reproductive success under fluctuating metabolic conditions. Ghrelin (GHRL) is an orexigenic peptide identified as the endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor that is being investigated for its potential role on reproduction. Considering that data available so far are still limited and characterization of GHRL action mechanism on the reproductive system has not been fully elucidated, we studied the participation of hypothalamus in GHRL effects on sperm functional activity, plasma levels of gonadotropins and histological morphology in mice testes after hypothalamic infusion of 0.3 or 3.0 nmol/day GHRL or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) at different treatment periods. We found that GHRL 3.0 nmol/day administration for 42 days significantly reduced sperm concentration (GHRL 3.0 nmol/day = 14.05 ± 2.44 × 106/mL vs ACSF = 20.33 ± 1.35 × 106/mL, P < 0.05) and motility (GHRL 3.0 nmol/day = 59.40 ± 4.20% vs ACSF = 75.80 ± 1.40%, P < 0.05). In addition, histological studies showed a significant decrease percentage of spermatogonia (GHRL 3.0 nmol/day = 6.76 ± 0.68% vs ACSF = 9.56 ± 0.41%, P < 0.05) and sperm (GHRL 3.0 nmol/day = 24.24 ± 1.92% vs ACSF = 31.20 ± 3.06%, P < 0.05). These results were associated with a significant reduction in luteinizing hormone and testosterone plasma levels (P < 0.05). As GHRL is an orexigenic peptide, body weight and food intake were measured. Results showed that GHRL increases both parameters; however, the effect did not last beyond the first week of treatment. Results presented in this work confirm that central GHRL administration impairs spermatogenesis and suggest that this effect is mediated by inhibition of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Poretti
- INICSAFacultad de Ciencias Médicas (CONICET-FCM), Instituto de Fisiología, Córdoba, Argentina .,Department of NeuroscienceFunctional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Camila Frautschi
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasUniversidad Nacional de Córdoba, Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Eugenia Luque
- INICSAFacultad de Ciencias Médicas (CONICET-FCM), Instituto de Fisiología, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Santiago Bianconi
- Department of NeuroscienceFunctional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Facultad de Ciencias MédicasUniversidad Nacional de Córdoba, Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ana Carolina Martini
- INICSAFacultad de Ciencias Médicas (CONICET-FCM), Instituto de Fisiología, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Graciela Stutz
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasUniversidad Nacional de Córdoba, Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Vincenti
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasUniversidad Nacional de Córdoba, Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Maria Emilia Santillán
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasUniversidad Nacional de Córdoba, Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Marina Ponzio
- INICSAFacultad de Ciencias Médicas (CONICET-FCM), Instituto de Fisiología, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Department of NeuroscienceFunctional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marta Fiol de Cuneo
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasUniversidad Nacional de Córdoba, Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Valeria Paola Carlini
- INICSAFacultad de Ciencias Médicas (CONICET-FCM), Instituto de Fisiología, Córdoba, Argentina.,Department of NeuroscienceFunctional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Luque EM, Torres PJ, de Loredo N, Vincenti LM, Stutz G, Santillán ME, Ruiz RD, de Cuneo MF, Martini AC. Role of ghrelin in fertilization, early embryo development, and implantation periods. Reproduction 2014; 148:159-67. [PMID: 24821833 DOI: 10.1530/rep-14-0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In order to clarify the physiological role of ghrelin in gestation, we evaluated the effects of administration of exogenous ghrelin (2 or 4 nmol/animal per day) or its antagonist (6 nmol/animal per day of (d-Lys3)GHRP6) on fertilization, early embryo development, and implantation periods in mice. Three experiments were performed, treating female mice with ghrelin or its antagonist: i) starting from 1 week before copulation to 12 h after copulation, mice were killed at day 18 of gestation; ii) since ovulation induction until 80 h later, when we retrieved the embryos from oviducts/uterus, and iii) starting from days 3 to 7 of gestation (peri-implantation), mice were killed at day 18. In experiments 1 and 3, the antagonist and/or the highest dose of ghrelin significantly increased the percentage of atrophied fetuses and that of females exhibiting this finding or a higher amount of corpora lutea compared with fetuses (nCL/nF) (experiment 3: higher nCL/nF-atrophied fetuses: ghrelin 4, 71.4-71.4% and antagonist, 75.0-62.5% vs ghrelin 2, 46.2-15.4% and control, 10-0.0%; n=7-13 females/group; P<0.01). In experiment 2, the antagonist diminished the fertilization rate, and both, ghrelin and the antagonist, delayed embryo development (blastocysts: ghrelin 2, 62.5%; ghrelin 4, 50.6%; and antagonist, 61.0% vs control 78.4%; n=82-102 embryos/treatment; P<0.0001). In experiment 3, additionally, ghrelin (4 nmol/day) and the antagonist significantly diminished the weight gain of fetuses and dams during pregnancy. Our results indicate that not only hyperghrelinemia but also the inhibition of the endogenous ghrelin effects exerts negative effects on the fertilization, implantation, and embryo/fetal development periods, supporting the hypothesis that ghrelin (in 'adequate' concentrations) has a physiological role in early gestational events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Mercedes Luque
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasInstituto de Fisiología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Pedro Javier Torres
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasInstituto de Fisiología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Nicolás de Loredo
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasInstituto de Fisiología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura María Vincenti
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasInstituto de Fisiología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Graciela Stutz
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasInstituto de Fisiología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Emilia Santillán
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasInstituto de Fisiología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Rubén Daniel Ruiz
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasInstituto de Fisiología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Marta Fiol de Cuneo
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasInstituto de Fisiología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ana Carolina Martini
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasInstituto de Fisiología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESU Córdoba, Argentina
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