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Gołyszny M, Obuchowicz E, Zieliński M. Neuropeptides as regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis activity and their putative roles in stress-induced fertility disorders. Neuropeptides 2022; 91:102216. [PMID: 34974357 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2021.102216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides being regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, also affect the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by regulating gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from hypothalamic neurons. Here, we review the available data on how neuropeptides affect HPG axis activity directly or indirectly via their influence on the HPA axis. The putative role of neuropeptides in stress-induced infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, is also described. This review discusses both well-known neuropeptides (i.e., kisspeptin, Kp; oxytocin, OT; arginine-vasopressin, AVP) and more recently discovered peptides (i.e., relaxin-3, RLN-3; nesfatin-1, NEFA; phoenixin, PNX; spexin, SPX). For the first time, we present an up-to-date review of all published data regarding interactions between the aforementioned neuropeptide systems. The reviewed literature suggest new pathophysiological mechanisms leading to fertility disturbances that are induced by stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miłosz Gołyszny
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
| | - Ewa Obuchowicz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
| | - Michał Zieliński
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
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Fozooni R, Jafarzadeh Shirazi MR, Saedi S, Namavar Jahromi B, Khoradmehr A, Anvari M, Rahmanifar F, Khodabandeh Z, Tamadon A. Male subfertility effects of sub-chronic ethanol exposure during stress in a rat model. Alcohol 2021; 96:63-71. [PMID: 34461247 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stressful conditions increase alcohol consumption in men. Clinical studies link disruption of the neuroendocrine stress system with alcoholism, but the effect of alcohol in a stress condition on male fertility is still relatively poorly understood. This project was undertaken to evaluate the effect of sub-chronic alcohol in a stress condition on male fertility in a rat model. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group, a stress group that was exposed to restraint stress, an ethanol group that was injected with ethanol daily, and a stress + ethanol group that was injected with ethanol daily and was exposed to restraint stress, simultaneously. Furthermore, testis tissue was evaluated histomorphometrically and immunohistochemically for apoptosis using a TUNEL assay after 12 days. Epididymis sperm analysis was done. Blood cortisol and testosterone were measured and expression of hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kiss1), RFRP-3, and MC4R mRNA were evaluated. RESULTS Ethanol exposure during restraint stress did not alter body weight. Ethanol exposure decreased the cellular diameter and area, and stress increased the cellular diameter and area, in comparison with the control group. In the stress group, in comparison with the other groups, the number of seminiferous tubules decreased and the numerical density of seminiferous tubules increased. In addition, ethanol exposure and/or stress reduced semen analysis parameters (sperm viability and motility), but did not change serum testosterone concentrations. Apoptosis increased in spermatogonia with ethanol exposure, but spermatocytes were not affected. Our data present the novel finding that ethanol and stress reduced hypothalamic Kiss1 mRNA expression, while ethanol exposure decreased hypothalamic RFRP-3 and MC4R mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS Ethanol decreased cortisol hormone level during the restraint stress condition and attenuated hypothalamic reproductive-related gene expressions. Therefore, ethanol exposure may induce reduction of sperm viability, increased sperm mortality, and increased apoptosis, with long-term effects, and may induce permanent male subfertility.
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Lovejoy DA, Pavlović T. Role of the teneurins, teneurin C-terminal associated peptides (TCAP) in reproduction: clinical perspectives. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2016; 24:83-90. [PMID: 26485751 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2015-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In humans, the teneurin gene family consists of four highly conserved paralogous genes that are the result of early vertebrate gene duplications arising from a gene introduced into multicellular organisms from a bacterial ancestor. In vertebrates and humans, the teneurins have become integrated into a number of critical physiological systems including several aspects of reproductive physiology. Structurally complex, these genes possess a sequence in their terminal exon that encodes for a bioactive peptide sequence termed the 'teneurin C-terminal associated peptide' (TCAP). The teneurin/TCAP protein forms an intercellular adhesive unit with its receptor, latrophilin, an Adhesion family G-protein coupled receptor. It is present in numerous cell types and has been implicated in gamete migration and gonadal morphology. Moreover, TCAP is highly effective at reducing the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) stress response. As a result, TCAP may also play a role in regulating the stress-associated inhibition of reproduction. In addition, the teneurins and TCAP have been implicated in tumorigenesis associated with reproductive tissues. Therefore, the teneurin/TCAP system may offer clinicians a novel biomarker system upon which to diagnose some reproductive pathologies.
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Abstract
A well worked-out motivational system in laboratory animals produces estrogen-dependent female sex behavior. Here, we review (a) the logical definition of sexual motivation and (b) the basic neuronal and molecular mechanisms that allow the behavior to occur. Importantly, reproductive mechanisms in the female can be inhibited by stress. This is interesting because, in terms of the specificity of neuroendocrine dynamics in space and time, the two families of phenomena, sex and stress, are the opposite of each other. We cover papers that document stress effects on the underlying processes of reproductive endocrinology in the female. Not all of the mechanisms for such inhibition have been clearly laid out. Finally, as a current topic of investigation, this system offers several avenues for new investigation which we briefly characterize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Magariños
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Donald Pfaff
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
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Bhongade MB, Prasad S, Jiloha RC, Ray PC, Mohapatra S, Koner BC. Effect of psychological stress on fertility hormones and seminal quality in male partners of infertile couples. Andrologia 2014; 47:336-42. [DOI: 10.1111/and.12268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. B. Bhongade
- Department of Biochemistry; Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital; New Delhi India
| | - S. Prasad
- IVF and Reproductive Biology Centre; Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics; Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital; New Delhi India
| | - R. C. Jiloha
- Department of Psychiatry; GB Pant Hospital; New Delhi India
| | - P. C. Ray
- Department of Biochemistry; Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital; New Delhi India
| | - S. Mohapatra
- Department of Biochemistry; Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital; New Delhi India
| | - B. C. Koner
- Department of Biochemistry; Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital; New Delhi India
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Systems approaches to genomic and epigenetic inter-regulation of peptide hormones in stress and reproduction. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 113:375-86. [PMID: 23500148 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2013.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Revised: 02/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of the organismal stress response and fertility are two of the most important aspects that drive the fitness of a species. However, the integrated regulation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes has been traditionally thwarted by the complexity of these systems. Pepidergic signalling systems have emerged as critical integrating systems for stress and reproduction. Current high throughput systems approaches are now providing a detailed understanding of peptide signalling in stress and reproduction. These approaches were dependent upon a long history of discovery aimed at the structural characterization of the associated molecular components. The combination of comparative genomics, microarray and epigenetic studies has led not only to a much greater understanding of the integration of stress and reproduction but also to the discovery of novel physiological systems. Recent epigenomic approaches have similarly yielded a new level of complexity in the interaction of these physiological systems. Together, such studies have provided a greater understanding of the effects of stress and reproduction.
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Chand D, Lovejoy DA. Stress and reproduction: controversies and challenges. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2011; 171:253-7. [PMID: 21362426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2011.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2011] [Revised: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of reproductive function by the activation of the stress-response has been observed since times of antiquity, however delineating a molecular mechanism by which this occurs in vertebrates continues to present a major challenge. Because recent genome sequencing programs have identified the presence of numerous paralogous peptides and receptors, our understanding of the complexity of the interaction between the reproductive and stress axes has expanded. At the neuroendocrine level, numerous studies have focused on the interaction between the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) systems in vertebrates. Moreover, most of these studies have been performed using rodent models and may not be completely relevant for non-mammalian vertebrates. A further problem lies in the variation of the functional expression of paralogous genes in the different taxa. In particular, the urocortin 2 and GnRH-II systems have been lost in some lineages, where its function has been taken over by urocortin 3 and GnRH-I, respectively. Establishing an integrated model that incorporates all paralogous systems for both the stress and reproductive system remains to be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhan Chand
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G5
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Nock TG, Chand D, Lovejoy DA. Identification of members of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) families in the genome of the holocephalan, Callorhinchus milii (elephant shark). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2011; 171:237-44. [PMID: 21310155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2011.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2010] [Revised: 01/25/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and corticotropin-releasing family (CRF) are two neuropeptides families that are strongly conserved throughout evolution. Recently, the genome of the holocephalan, Callorhinchus milii (elephant shark) has been sequenced. The phylogenetic position of C. milii, along with the relatively slow evolution of the cartilaginous fish suggests that neuropeptides in this species may resemble the earliest gnathostome forms. The genome of the elephant shark was screened, in silico, using the various conserved motifs of both the vertebrate CRF paralogs and the insect diuretic hormone sequences to identify the structure of the C. milii CRF/DH-like peptides. A similar approach was taken to identify the GnRH peptides using conserved motifs in both vertebrate and invertebrate forms. Two CRF peptides, a urotensin-1 peptide and a urocortin 3 peptide were found in the genome. There was only about 50% sequence identity between the two CRF peptides suggesting an early divergence. In addition, the urocortin 2 peptide seems to have been lost and was identified as a pseudogene in C. milii. In contrast to the number of CRF family peptides, only a GnRH-II preprohormone with the conserved mature decapeptide was found. This confirms early studies about the identity of GnRH in the Holocephali, and suggests that the Holocephali and Elasmobranchii differ with respect to GnRH structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya G Nock
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 3G5
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Neuroendocrine regulation of GnRH release and expression of GnRH and GnRH receptor genes in the hypothalamus-pituitary unit in different physiological states. Reprod Biol 2010; 10:85-124. [PMID: 20668503 DOI: 10.1016/s1642-431x(12)60054-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
This review is focused on the relationship between neuroendocrine regulation of GnRH/LH secretion and the expression of GnRH and GnRH receptor (GnRHR) genes in the hypothalamic-pituitary unit during different physiological states of animals and under stress. Moreover, the involvement of hypothalamic GABA-ergic, Beta-endorphinergic, CRH-ergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic and GnRH-ergic systems in the regulation of expression of the GnRH and GnRHR genes as well as secretion of GnRH/LH is analyzed. It appears that the neural mechanisms controlling GnRH gene expression in different physiological states may be distinct from those regulating GnRH/LH release. The hypothalamic GnRHR gene is probably located in different neural systems and may act in a specific way on GnRH gene expression and GnRH release.
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Iwasa T, Matsuzaki T, Murakami M, Kinouchi R, Shimizu F, Kuwahara A, Yasui T, Irahara M. Neonatal immune challenge affects the regulation of estrus cyclicity and feeding behavior in female rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 2008; 27:111-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2008.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2008] [Revised: 10/03/2008] [Accepted: 10/11/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Iwasa
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyInstitute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate SchoolTokushima770‐8503Japan
| | - Toshiya Matsuzaki
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyInstitute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate SchoolTokushima770‐8503Japan
| | - Masahiro Murakami
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyInstitute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate SchoolTokushima770‐8503Japan
| | - Riyo Kinouchi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyInstitute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate SchoolTokushima770‐8503Japan
| | - Fumi Shimizu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyInstitute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate SchoolTokushima770‐8503Japan
| | - Akira Kuwahara
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyInstitute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate SchoolTokushima770‐8503Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Yasui
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyInstitute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate SchoolTokushima770‐8503Japan
| | - Minoru Irahara
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyInstitute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate SchoolTokushima770‐8503Japan
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Abstract
Heme oxygenase (HO) cleaves the tetrapyrrolic ring of cellular heme moieties liberating carbon monoxide (CO) and equimolar amounts of free iron and biliverdin (BV). BV is in turn converted into bilirubin (BR) by the cytosolic enzyme BV reductase. Three HO isoforms have been described to date: HO-1, HO-2, and HO-3. All these isoforms are present in nervous tissue with different localizations and regulation. CO, the gaseous product of HO, exerts its biological effects through the activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase, but alternative signaling pathways, such as the activation of cyclooxygenase, have also been reported in the brain. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that CO, at the hypothalamic level, plays a key role in the modulation of stress response because it inhibits the release of antiinflammatory neuropeptides, such as corticotropin-releasing hormone and arginine vasopressin, and increases body temperature in rodents exposed to psychological stressors (stress fever). In the last few years, a new role of BR as an endogenously produced antioxidant has emerged, and several reports have shown that BR contributes to prevent cell damage mediated by reactive oxygen species, as well as nitric oxide and its congeners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesare Mancuso
- Institute of Pharmacology, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.
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Matsuwaki T, Watanabe E, Suzuki M, Yamanouchi K, Nishihara M. Glucocorticoid maintains pulsatile aecretion of luteinizing hormone under infectious stress condition. Endocrinology 2003; 144:3477-82. [PMID: 12865328 DOI: 10.1210/en.2002-221111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that TNF-alpha, a major proinflammatory cytokine, suppressed hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator activity and that this inhibitory effect was enhanced by alpha-helical CRH, a CRH receptor antagonist. The present study was conducted to elucidate the involvement of glucocorticoid (GC) in modulating LH pulses under infectious stress condition. Adrenalectomy (ADX) markedly enhanced the suppressive effect of TNF-alpha (1 micro g), injected iv, on LH pulses in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Pretreatment with a sc injection of corticosterone (10 mg) almost completely restored LH pulses after TNF-alpha injection in OVX/ADX animals. Injection of TNF-alpha increased the number of c-Fos-immunoreactive cells in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH), and the parvocellular region of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which was more prominent in OVX/ADX than OVX animals except in the DMH. Pretreatment with corticosterone decreased the number of Fos-immunoreactive cells in the PVN and SON but not in the DMH. These results suggest that GC has a potent protective effect on LH pulsatility under conditions of infectious stress, the mechanism of which involves at least the suppression of the excitability of PVN and SON neurons. In addition, the DMH does not seem to mediate the central action of GC, though it may play an important role in inducing pathophysiological reactions to invasive stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Matsuwaki
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Veterinary Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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Kovacs M, Seprodi J, Koppan M, Horvath JE, Vincze B, Teplan I, Flerko B. Lamprey gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone-III has no selective follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing effect in rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2002; 14:647-55. [PMID: 12153467 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2826.2002.00828.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Lamprey gonadotropin releasing-hormone (LGnRH)-III, a hypothalamic neurohormone recently isolated from sea lamprey, was reported to have a selective stimulatory effect on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release in rats and suggested to be the mammalian FSH-releasing factor. In this study, we determined the relative luteinizing hormone (LH)- and FSH-releasing potency of LGnRH-III compared to mammalian gonadotropin-releasing hormone (LHRH) in normal female rats, ovariectomized (OVX) and oestrogen/progesterone substituted rats and the superfused rat-pituitary cell system. The specificity of LGnRH-III for the mammalian LHRH receptor was investigated by blocking the receptor with an LHRH antagonist, MI-1544. In vitro, LGnRH-III dose-dependently stimulated both LH and FSH secretion from rat pituitary cells at 10(-7) to 10(-5) M concentrations, while LHRH stimulated gonadotropin secretion at a 1000-fold lower doses (10(-10) to 10(-8) M). The difference between its LH- and FSH-releasing potency was similar to that of LHRH. LGnRH-III bound to high affinity binding sites on rat pituitary cells with a Kd of 6.7 nM, B(max)=113 +/- 27 fmol/mg protein. In vivo, LGnRH-III also stimulated both LH and FSH secretion in a dose-dependent manner and, similar to LHRH, induced a greater rise in the serum LH than the FSH level. In normal cycling rats, it showed 180-650-fold weaker potency than LHRH in stimulating LH secretion and 70-80-fold weaker effect in stimulating FSH secretion. In OVX rats, LGnRH-III demonstrated a similarly weak effect on both gonadotropins. It was found to be 40-210-fold less potent than LHRH regarding LH release and 50-160-fold weaker regarding FSH release. LHRH-receptor antagonist MI-1544 prevented both the LH- and the FSH-releasing effect of LGnRH-III both in vitro and in vivo. These results do not support the hypothesis that LGnRH-III might be the mammalian FSH-releasing factor but demonstrate that it is a weak agonist for the pituitary LHRH receptor and stimulates both gonadotropins in a dose-dependent fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kovacs
- University of Pecs, Medical School, Department of Human Anatomy, Pecs, Hungary.
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