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Mao L, Liu A, Zhang X. Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Female Reproductive Function: A Review of Animal and Human Studies. Curr Nutr Rep 2024:10.1007/s13668-024-00569-1. [PMID: 39320714 DOI: 10.1007/s13668-024-00569-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Intermittent fasting has gained significant attention, yet a comprehensive understanding of its impact on female reproductive health is lacking. This review aims to fill this gap by examining various intermittent fasting regimens and their effects on female reproductive function, along with potential mechanisms. RECENT FINDINGS In healthy non-overweight/obese or pregnant animal models, alternate-day fasting (ADF) and an 8-h time-restricted feeding (TRF) window may have adverse effects on reproductive function. However, these regimens show potential to mitigate negative consequences induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) or environmental exposure. A 10-h TRF demonstrates benefits in improving fertility in both normal-weight and HFD-fed animal models. In women with overweight/obesity or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the 5:2 diet and TRF significantly reduce the free androgen index while elevating sex hormone binding globulin, promising improvements in menstrual regulation. For pregnant Muslim women, available data do not strongly indicate adverse effects of Ramadan fasting on preterm delivery, but potential downsides to maternal weight gain, neonatal birthweight, and long-term offspring health need consideration. Factors linking intermittent fasting to female reproductive health include the circadian clock, gut microbiota, metabolic regulators, and modifiable lifestyles. Drawing definitive conclusions remains challenging in this evolving area. Nonetheless, our findings underscore the potential utility of intermittent fasting regimens as a therapeutic approach for addressing menstruation irregularities and infertility in women with obesity and PCOS. On the other hand, pregnant women should remain cognizant of potential risks associated with intermittent fasting practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Mao
- Department of Women's Health, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Aixia Liu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Department of Women's Health, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
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2
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West S, Garza V, Cardoso R. Puberty in beef heifers: effects of prenatal and postnatal nutrition on the development of the neuroendocrine axis. Anim Reprod 2024; 21:e20240048. [PMID: 39176002 PMCID: PMC11340802 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2024-0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Reproductive maturation is a complex physiological process controlled by the neuroendocrine system and is characterized by an increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatile secretion. Nutrition during early development is a key factor regulating puberty onset, which is defined as first ovulation in females. In heifers, nutrient restriction after weaning delays puberty, whereas elevated levels of nutrition and energy reserves advance reproductive maturation. Recent studies in cattle and other animal models have shown that the dam's nutrition during gestation can also program the neuroendocrine system in the developing fetus and has the potential to alter timing of puberty in the offspring. Among the metabolic signals that modulate brain development and control timing of puberty is leptin, a hormone produced primarily by adipocytes that communicates energy status to the brain. Leptin acts within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus to regulate GnRH secretion via an upstream network of neurons that includes neurons that express neuropeptide Y (NPY), an orexigenic peptide with inhibitory effects on GnRH secretion, and alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone (αMSH), an anorexigenic peptide with excitatory effects on GnRH neurons. Another important population of neurons are KNDy neurons, neurons in the arcuate nucleus that co-express the neuropeptides kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin and have strong stimulatory effects on GnRH secretion. Our studies in beef heifers indicate that increased nutrition between 4 to 8 months of age advances puberty by diminishing NPY inhibitory tone and by increasing excitatory inputs of αMSH and kisspeptin, which collectively lead to increased GnRH/LH pulsatility. Our ongoing studies indicate that different planes of nutrition during gestation can alter maternal leptin concentrations and promote changes in the fetal brain. Nonetheless, at least in Bos indicus-influenced heifers, deficits programmed prenatally can be overcome by adequate postnatal nutrition without negatively impacting age at puberty or subsequent fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah West
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Viviana Garza
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Rodolfo Cardoso
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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3
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Liang C, Li X, Song G, Schmidt SF, Sun L, Chen J, Pan X, Zhao H, Yan Y. Adipose Kiss1 controls aerobic exercise-related adaptive responses in adipose tissue energy homeostasis. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23743. [PMID: 38877852 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202302598rr] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Kisspeptin signaling regulates energy homeostasis. Adiposity is the principal source and receiver of peripheral Kisspeptin, and adipose Kiss1 metastasis suppressor (Kiss1) gene expression is stimulated by exercise. However, whether the adipose Kiss1 gene regulates energy homeostasis and plays a role in adaptive alterations during prolonged exercise remains unknown. Here, we investigated the role of Kiss1 role in mice and adipose tissues and the adaptive changes it induces after exercise, using adipose-specific Kiss1 knockout (Kiss1adipoq-/-) and adeno-associated virus-induced adipose tissue Kiss1-overexpressing (Kiss1adipoq over) mice. We found that adipose-derived kisspeptin signal regulates lipid and glucose homeostasis to maintain systemic energy homeostasis, but in a sex-dependent manner, with more pronounced metabolic changes in female mice. Kiss1 regulated adaptive alterations of genes and proteins in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) pathways in female gWAT following prolonged aerobic exercise. We could further show that adipose Kiss1 deficiency leads to reduced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) protein content of soleus muscle and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) of female mice after prolonged exercise. Therefore, adipose Kisspeptin may be a novel adipokine that increases organ sensitivity to glucose, lipids, and oxygen following exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Liang
- Department of Sport Biochemistry, School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University (BSU), Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation, General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense, Denmark
- School of Physical Education, Guangxi University (GXU), Nanning, China
| | - Xuehan Li
- Department of Sport Biochemistry, School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University (BSU), Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation, General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Song
- Department of Sport Biochemistry, School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University (BSU), Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation, General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing, China
| | - Søren Fisker Schmidt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense, Denmark
| | - Lingyu Sun
- Department of Sport Biochemistry, School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University (BSU), Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation, General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhao Chen
- Department of Sport Biochemistry, School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University (BSU), Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation, General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing, China
| | - Xinliang Pan
- Department of Sport Biochemistry, School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University (BSU), Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation, General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing, China
| | - Haotian Zhao
- Department of Sport Biochemistry, School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University (BSU), Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation, General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Yan
- Department of Sport Biochemistry, School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University (BSU), Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation, General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing, China
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Villa PA, Ruggiero-Ruff RE, Jamieson BB, Campbell RE, Coss D. Obesity Alters POMC and Kisspeptin Neuron Cross Talk Leading to Reduced Luteinizing Hormone in Male Mice. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0222242024. [PMID: 38744532 PMCID: PMC11236585 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0222-24.2024] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is associated with hypogonadism in males, characterized by low testosterone and sperm number. Previous studies determined that these stem from dysregulation of hypothalamic circuitry that regulates reproduction, by unknown mechanisms. Herein, we used mice fed chronic high-fat diet, which mimics human obesity, to determine mechanisms of impairment at the level of the hypothalamus, in particular gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons that regulate luteinizing hormone (LH), which then regulates testosterone. Consistent with obese humans, we demonstrated lower LH, and lower pulse frequency of LH secretion, but unchanged pituitary responsiveness to GnRH. LH pulse frequency is regulated by pulsatile GnRH secretion, which is controlled by kisspeptin. Peripheral and central kisspeptin injections, and DREADD-mediated activation of kisspeptin neurons, demonstrated that kisspeptin neurons were suppressed in obese mice. Thus, we investigated regulators of kisspeptin secretion. We determined that the LH response to NMDA was lower in obese mice, corresponding to fewer glutamate receptors in kisspeptin neurons, which may be critical for kisspeptin synchronization. Given that kisspeptin neurons also interact with anorexigenic POMC neurons, which are affected by obesity, we examined their cross talk, and determined that the LH response to either DREADD-mediated activation of POMC neurons or central injection of αMSH, a product of POMC, is abolished in obese mice. This was accompanied by diminished levels of αMSH receptor, MC4R, in kisspeptin neurons. Together, our studies determined that obesity leads to the downregulation of receptors that regulate kisspeptin neurons, which is associated with lower LH pulse frequency, leading to lower LH and hypogonadism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A Villa
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Rebecca E Ruggiero-Ruff
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Bradley B Jamieson
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, and Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Rebecca E Campbell
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, and Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Djurdjica Coss
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
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Lee J, Song Y, Kim YA, Kim I, Cha J, Lee SW, Ko Y, Kim CS, Kim S, Lee S. Characterization of a new selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator with anorexigenic activity. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7844. [PMID: 38570726 PMCID: PMC10991430 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58546-1] [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: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity, a worldwide epidemic, leads to various metabolic disorders threatening human health. In response to stress or fasting, glucocorticoid (GC) levels are elevated to promote food intake. This involves GC-induced expression of the orexigenic neuropeptides in agouti-related protein (AgRP) neurons of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) via the GC receptor (GR). Here, we report a selective GR modulator (SGRM) that suppresses GR-induced transcription of genes with non-classical glucocorticoid response elements (GREs) such as Agrp-GRE, but not with classical GREs, and via this way may serve as a novel anti-obesity agent. We have identified a novel SGRM, 2-O-trans-p-coumaroylalphitolic acid (Zj7), a triterpenoid extracted from the Ziziphus jujube plant, that selectively suppresses GR transcriptional activity in Agrp-GRE without affecting classical GREs. Zj7 reduces the expression of orexigenic genes in the ARC and exerts a significant anorexigenic effect with weight loss in both high fat diet-induced obese and genetically obese db/db mouse models. Transcriptome analysis showed that Zj7 represses the expression of a group of orexigenic genes including Agrp and Npy induced by the synthetic GR ligand dexamethasone (Dex) in the hypothalamus. Taken together, Zj7, as a selective GR modulator, showed beneficial metabolic activities, in part by suppressing GR activity in non-classical GREs in orexigenic genes. This study demonstrates that a potential anorexigenic molecule may allow GRE-specific inhibition of GR transcriptional activity, which is a promising approach for the treatment of metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junekyoung Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Yeonghun Song
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Young A Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Intae Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Jooseon Cha
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Su Won Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Yoonae Ko
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Chong-Su Kim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Natural Information Sciences, Dongduk Women's University, Seoul, 02748, Korea
| | - Sanghee Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea.
| | - Seunghee Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea.
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Sliwowska JH, Woods NE, Alzahrani AR, Paspali E, Tate RJ, Ferro VA. Kisspeptin a potential therapeutic target in treatment of both metabolic and reproductive dysfunction. J Diabetes 2024; 16:e13541. [PMID: 38599822 PMCID: PMC11006622 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.13541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Kisspeptins (KPs) are proteins that were first recognized to have antimetastatic action. Later, the critical role of this peptide in the regulation of reproduction was proved. In recent years, evidence has been accumulated supporting a role for KPs in regulating metabolic processes in a sexual dimorphic manner. It has been proposed that KPs regulate metabolism both indirectly via gonadal hormones and/or directly via the kisspeptin receptor in the brain, brown adipose tissue, and pancreas. The aim of the review is to provide both experimental and clinical evidence indicating that KPs are peptides linking metabolism and reproduction. We propose that KPs could be used as a potential target to treat both metabolic and reproductive abnormalities. Thus, we focus on the consequences of disruptions in KPs and their receptors in metabolic conditions such as diabetes, undernutrition, obesity, and reproductive disorders (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and polycystic ovary syndrome). Data from both animal models and human subjects indicate that alterations in KPs in the case of metabolic imbalance lead also to disruptions in reproductive functions. Changes both in the hypothalamic and peripheral KP systems in animal models of the aforementioned disorders are discussed. Finally, an overview of current clinical studies involving KP in fertility and metabolism show fewer studies on metabolism (15%) and only one to date on both. Presented data indicate a dynamic and emerging field of KP studies as possible therapeutic targets in treatments of both reproductive and metabolic dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Helena Sliwowska
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Nicola Elizabeth Woods
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Abdullah Rzgallah Alzahrani
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elpiniki Paspali
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rothwelle Joseph Tate
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Valerie Anne Ferro
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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Li AH, Kuo YY, Yang SB, Chen PC. Central Channelopathies in Obesity. CHINESE J PHYSIOL 2024; 67:15-26. [PMID: 38780269 DOI: 10.4103/ejpi.ejpi-d-23-00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
As obesity has raised heightening awareness, researchers have attempted to identify potential targets that can be treated for therapeutic intervention. Focusing on the central nervous system (CNS), the key organ in maintaining energy balance, a plethora of ion channels that are expressed in the CNS have been inspected and determined through manipulation in different hypothalamic neural subpopulations for their roles in fine-tuning neuronal activity on energy state alterations, possibly acting as metabolic sensors. However, a remaining gap persists between human clinical investigations and mouse studies. Despite having delineated the pathways and mechanisms of how the mouse study-identified ion channels modulate energy homeostasis, only a few targets overlap with the obesity-related risk genes extracted from human genome-wide association studies. Here, we present the most recently discovered CNS-specific metabolism-correlated ion channels using reverse and forward genetics approaches in mice and humans, respectively, in the hope of illuminating the prospects for future therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athena Hsu Li
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ying Kuo
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Bing Yang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chun Chen
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Tripathi S, Maurya S, Singh A. Adropin may promote insulin stimulated steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in adult mice testes. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:86-98. [PMID: 37902254 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Adropin is a versatile peptide which was discovered as a novel metabolic hormone that is involved in the regulation of lipid and glucose homeostasis. However, its possible role in the testicular function is not yet understood. The aim of our study was to explore the distribution pattern of adropin and GPR19 in various cell types and its possible role in testicular functions of adult mice. Immunohistochemical study revealed the intense immunoreactivity of adropin in the Leydig cells, while GPR19 showed intense immunoreactivity in the pachytene spermatocytes and mild immunoreactivity in Leydig cells and primary as well as secondary spermatocytes in mouse testis. Enho mRNA was also found to be expressed in the mouse testis. These findings suggested that adropin-GPR19 signaling may act in autocrine/paracrine manner to modulate testicular functions. Furthermore, to find out the direct role of adropin in the testicular function, in vitro study was performed in which testicular slices were cultured with adropin alone (10 and 100 ng/mL) and in combination with insulin (5 μg/mL). Adropin alone inhibited testicular testosterone synthesis by inhibiting the expression of P450-SCC, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD while along with insulin stimulated the testicular testosterone synthesis by increasing the expression of GPR19, IR, StAR, P450-SCC, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD. Adropin alone or in combination with insulin promoted germ cell survival and proliferation by upregulating the expression of PCNA, Bcl2, and pERK1/2. Thus, it can be concluded that adropin-GPR19 signaling promotes insulin stimulated steroidogenesis and germ cell survival as well as proliferation in the mice testes in an autocrine/paracrine manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Tripathi
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Shweta Maurya
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Ajit Singh
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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Garza V, West SM, Cardoso RC. Review: Gestational and postnatal nutritional effects on the neuroendocrine control of puberty and subsequent reproductive performance in heifers. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100782. [PMID: 37567667 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pubertal attainment is an intricate biological process that involves maturation of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis and increased pulsatile release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone. Nutrition is a critical environmental factor controlling the timing of puberty attainment. Nutrient restriction during early postnatal development delays puberty, whereas increased feed intake and adiposity during this period hasten pubertal maturation by imprinting the hypothalamus. Moreover, the dam's nutrition during gestation can program the neuroendocrine system in the developing fetus and has the potential to advance or delay puberty in the offspring. Leptin, a hormone produced primarily by adipose cells, plays an important role in communicating energy status to the brain and regulating sexual maturation. Leptin's regulation of GnRH release is mediated by an upstream neuronal network since GnRH neurons do not contain the leptin receptor. Two groups of neurons located in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus that express neuropeptide Y (NPY), an orexigenic peptide, and alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone (αMSH), an anorexigenic peptide, are central elements of the neural circuitry that relay inhibitory (NPY) and excitatory (αMSH) inputs to GnRH neurons. Moreover, KNDy neurons, neurons in the arcuate nucleus that co-express kisspeptin, neurokinin B (NKB), and dynorphin, also play a role in the metabolic regulation of puberty. Our studies in beef heifers demonstrate that increased rates of BW gain during early postweaning (4-9 mo of age) result in reduced expression of NPY mRNA, increased expression of proopiomelanocortin and kisspeptin receptor mRNA, reduced NPY inhibitory inputs to GnRH neurons, and increased excitatory αMSH inputs to KNDy neurons. Finally, our most recent data demonstrate that nutrition of the cow during the last two trimesters of gestation can also induce transcriptional and structural changes in hypothalamic neurocircuitries in the heifer progeny that likely persist long-term after birth. Managerial approaches, such as supplementation of the dam during gestation (fetal programming), creep feeding, early weaning, and stair-step nutritional regimens have been developed to exploit brain plasticity and advance pubertal maturation in heifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Garza
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, 2471 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Sarah M West
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, 2471 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Rodolfo C Cardoso
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, 2471 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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10
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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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11
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Petrillo T, Semprini E, Tomatis V, Arnesano M, Ambrosetti F, Battipaglia C, Sponzilli A, Ricciardiello F, Genazzani AR, Genazzani AD. Putative Complementary Compounds to Counteract Insulin-Resistance in PCOS Patients. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081924. [PMID: 36009471 PMCID: PMC9406066 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent endocrine-metabolic disorder among women at reproductive age. The diagnosis is based on the presence of at least two out of three criteria of the Rotterdam criteria (2003). In the last decades, the dysmetabolic aspect of insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia have been taken into account as the additional key features in the etiopathology of PCOS, and they have been widely studied. Since PCOS is a complex and multifactorial syndrome with different clinical manifestations, it is difficult to find the gold standard treatment. Therefore, a great variety of integrative treatments have been reported to counteract insulin resistance. PCOS patients need a tailored therapeutic strategy, according to the patient’s BMI, the presence or absence of familiar predisposition to diabetes, and the patient’s desire to achieve pregnancy or not. The present review analyzes and discloses the main clinical insight of such complementary substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabatha Petrillo
- Gynecological Endocrinology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Semprini
- Gynecological Endocrinology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Veronica Tomatis
- Gynecological Endocrinology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Melania Arnesano
- Gynecological Endocrinology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Fedora Ambrosetti
- Gynecological Endocrinology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Christian Battipaglia
- Gynecological Endocrinology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Sponzilli
- Gynecological Endocrinology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Ricciardiello
- Gynecological Endocrinology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea R. Genazzani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro D. Genazzani
- Gynecological Endocrinology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
- Correspondence:
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12
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Effects of Extreme Light Cycle and Density on Melatonin, Appetite, and Energy Metabolism of the Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11070965. [PMID: 36101346 PMCID: PMC9312178 DOI: 10.3390/biology11070965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Constant darkness and constant light exposure often disturb the circadian rhythm in the behavior and energy metabolism of vertebrates. Melatonin is known as the hormonal mediator of photoperiodic information to the central nervous system and plays a key role in food intake and energy balance regulation in vertebrates. The popularly cultured soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis has been reported to grow better under constant darkness; however, the underlying physiological mechanism by which darkness benefits turtle growth is not clear yet. We hypothesized that increased melatonin levels induced by darkness would increase appetite and energy metabolism and thus promote growth in P. sinensis. In addition, in order to elucidate the interaction of photoperiod and density, juvenile turtles were treated under three photoperiods (light/dark cycle: 24L:0D, 12L:12D, 0L:24D, light density 900 lux) and two stocking densities (high density: 38.10 ind./m2, low density: 6.35 ind./m2) for 4 weeks, and then the blood and brain tissues of turtles were collected during the day (11:00–13:00) and at night (23:00–1:00) after 2 days of fasting. We examined changes in plasma melatonin levels, food intake (FI), and appetite-related hormones (plasma ghrelin and leptin), as well as growth and energy metabolism parameters such as specific growth rate (SGR), standard metabolic rate (SMR), plasma growth hormone (GH), and thyroid hormone/enzyme activity (plasma triiodothyronine T3, thyroxine T4, and T45′-deiodinase activity). Moreover, we also assessed the responses of mRNA expression levels of food intake-related genes (kisspeptin 1 (Kiss1); cocaine amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART); neuropeptide Y (NPY)) in the brain. The results showed that under high density, SGR was the lowest in 24L:0D and the highest in 0L:24D. FI was the highest in 0L:24D regardless of density. Plasma melatonin was the highest in 0L:24D under high density at night. SMR increased with decreasing light time regardless of density. Most expressions of the measured appetite-related genes (Kiss1, CART, and NPY) were not affected by photoperiod, nor were the related hormone levels, such as plasma leptin, ghrelin, and GH. However, thyroid hormones were clearly affected by photoperiod. T3 level in 0L:24D under high density during the day was the highest among all treatment groups. T4 in 24L:0D under high density during the day and T45′-deiodinase activity in 24L:0D under low density at night were significantly reduced compared with the control. Furthermore, the energy metabolism-related hormone levels were higher under higher density, especially during the day. Together, melatonin secretion is not only modulated by light but also likely to be regulated by unknown endogenous factors and density. Altered plasma melatonin induced by constant darkness and density seems to be involved in the modulation of energy metabolism rather than appetite in the soft-shelled turtle.
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13
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Bates KA, Higgins C, Neiman M, King KC. Turning the tide on sex and the microbiota in aquatic animals. HYDROBIOLOGIA 2022; 850:3823-3835. [PMID: 37662671 PMCID: PMC10468917 DOI: 10.1007/s10750-022-04862-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Sex-based differences in animal microbiota are increasingly recognized as of biological importance. While most animal biomass is found in aquatic ecosystems and many water-dwelling species are of high economic and ecological value, biological sex is rarely included as an explanatory variable in studies of the aquatic animal microbiota. In this opinion piece, we argue for greater consideration of host sex in studying the microbiota of aquatic animals, emphasizing the many advancements that this information could provide in the life sciences, from the evolution of sex to aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran A. Bates
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ UK
| | - Chelsea Higgins
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IW 52245 USA
| | - Maurine Neiman
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IW 52245 USA
- Department of Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IW 52245 USA
| | - Kayla C. King
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ UK
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14
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Tsakoumis E, Ahi EP, Schmitz M. Impaired leptin signaling causes subfertility in female zebrafish. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 546:111595. [PMID: 35139421 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction is an energetically costly event across vertebrates and tightly linked to nutritional status and energy reserves. In mammals, the hormone leptin is considered as a link between energy homeostasis and reproduction. However, its role in fish reproduction is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the possible role of leptin in the regulation of reproduction in zebrafish, using a loss of function leptin receptor (lepr) strain. Impaired leptin signaling resulted in severe reproductive deficiencies in female zebrafish. lepr mutant females laid significantly fewer eggs, with low fertilization rates compared to wild-type females. Folliculogenesis was not affected, but oocyte maturation and ovulation were disrupted in lepr mutants. Interestingly, the expression of luteinizing hormone beta (lhb) in the pituitary was significantly lower in mutant females. Analysis of candidate genes in the ovaries and isolated fully grown follicles revealed differential expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation and ovulation in the mutants, which are known to be regulated by LH signaling. Moreover, subfertility in lepr mutants could be partially restored by administration of human chorionic gonadotropin. In conclusion, our results show that leptin deficiency does not affect early stages of follicular development, but leptin might be essential in later steps, such as in oocyte maturation and ovulation. To our knowledge, this is the first time that leptin is associated to reproductive deficiencies in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouil Tsakoumis
- Department of Organismal Biology, Environmental Toxicology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Ehsan Pashay Ahi
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Monika Schmitz
- Department of Organismal Biology, Environmental Toxicology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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15
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Zhang L, Guo X, Zhang W. Nutrients and pheromones promote insulin release to inhibit courtship drive. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabl6121. [PMID: 35263128 PMCID: PMC8906733 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl6121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Food and reproduction are the fundamental needs for all animals. However, the neural mechanisms that orchestrate nutrient intake and sexual behaviors are not well understood. Here, we find that sugar feeding immediately suppresses sexual drive of male Drosophila, a regulation mediated by insulin that acts on insulin receptors on the courtship-promoting P1 neurons. The same pathway was co-opted by anaphrodisiac pheromones to suppress sexual hyperactivity to suboptimal mates. Activated by repulsive pheromones, male-specific PPK23 neurons on the leg tarsus release crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) that acts on CCAP receptor on the insulin-producing cells in the brain to trigger insulin release, which then inhibits P1 neurons. Our results reveal how male flies avoid promiscuity by balancing the weight between aphrodisiac and anaphrodisiac inputs from multiple peripheral sensory pathways and nutritional states. Such a regulation enables male animals to make an appropriate mating decision under fluctuating feeding conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
- Corresponding author. (W.Z.); (L.Z.)
| | - Xuan Guo
- School of Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
- Corresponding author. (W.Z.); (L.Z.)
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16
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“Fast” women? The effects of childhood environments on women's developmental timing, mating strategies, and reproductive outcomes. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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17
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Huang WK, Wong SZH, Pather SR, Nguyen PTT, Zhang F, Zhang DY, Zhang Z, Lu L, Fang W, Chen L, Fernandes A, Su Y, Song H, Ming GL. Generation of hypothalamic arcuate organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1657-1670.e10. [PMID: 33961804 PMCID: PMC8419002 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human brain organoids represent remarkable platforms for recapitulating features of human brain development and diseases. Existing organoid models do not resolve fine brain subregions, such as different nuclei in the hypothalamus. We report the generation of arcuate organoids (ARCOs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to model the development of the human hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. Single-cell RNA sequencing of ARCOs revealed significant molecular heterogeneity underlying different arcuate cell types, and machine learning-aided analysis based on the neonatal human hypothalamus single-nucleus transcriptome further showed a human arcuate nucleus molecular signature. We also explored ARCOs generated from Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) patient iPSCs. These organoids exhibit aberrant differentiation and transcriptomic dysregulation similar to postnatal hypothalamus of PWS patients, indicative of cellular differentiation deficits and exacerbated inflammatory responses. Thus, patient iPSC-derived ARCOs represent a promising experimental model for investigating nucleus-specific features and disease-relevant mechanisms during early human arcuate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Kai Huang
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Graduate Program in Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Samuel Zheng Hao Wong
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sarshan R Pather
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Phuong T T Nguyen
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel Y Zhang
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zhijian Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Wanqi Fang
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Luyun Chen
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Analiese Fernandes
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yijing Su
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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18
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Recinella L, Chiavaroli A, Orlando G, Ferrante C, Gesmundo I, Granata R, Cai R, Sha W, Schally AV, Brunetti L, Leone S. Growth hormone-releasing hormone antagonistic analog MIA-690 stimulates food intake in mice. Peptides 2021; 142:170582. [PMID: 34051291 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In addition to its metabolic and endocrine effects, growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) was found to modulate feeding behavior in mammals. However, the role of recently synthetized GHRH antagonist MIA-690 and MR-409, a GHRH agonist, on feeding regulation remains to be evaluated. We investigated the effects of chronic subcutaneous administration of MIA-690 and MR-409 on feeding behavior and energy metabolism, in mice. Compared to vehicle, MIA-690 increased food intake and body weight, while MR-409 had no effect. Both analogs did not modify locomotor activity, as well as subcutaneous, visceral and brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass. A significant increase of hypothalamic agouti-related peptide (AgRP) gene expression and norepinephrine (NE) levels, along with a reduction of serotonin (5-HT) levels were found after MIA-690 treatment. MIA-690 was also found able to decrease gene expression of leptin in visceral adipose tissue. By contrast, MR-409 had no effect on the investigated markers. Concluding, chronic peripheral administration of MIA-690 could play an orexigenic role, paralleled by an increase in body weight. The stimulation of feeding could be mediated, albeit partially, by elevation of AgRP gene expression and NE levels and decreased 5-HT levels in the hypothalamus, along with reduced leptin gene expression, in the visceral adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Recinella
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
| | | | - Giustino Orlando
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Claudio Ferrante
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Iacopo Gesmundo
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin and Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Hospital, Turin, 10126, Italy.
| | - Riccarda Granata
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin and Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Hospital, Turin, 10126, Italy.
| | - Renzhi Cai
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, 33125, United States; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and Division of Medical/Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136 and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, 33136, United States.
| | - Wei Sha
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, 33125, United States; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and Division of Medical/Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136 and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, 33136, United States.
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, 33125, United States; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and Division of Medical/Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136 and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, 33136, United States.
| | - Luigi Brunetti
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Sheila Leone
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
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20
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Differential Regulation of Gonadotropins as Revealed by Transcriptomes of Distinct LH and FSH Cells of Fish Pituitary. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126478. [PMID: 34204216 PMCID: PMC8234412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
From mammals to fish, reproduction is driven by luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) temporally secreted from the pituitary gland. Teleost fish are an excellent model for addressing the unique regulation and function of each gonadotropin cell since, unlike mammals, they synthesize and secrete LH and FSH from distinct cells. Only very distant vertebrate classes (such as fish and birds) demonstrate the mono-hormonal strategy, suggesting a potential convergent evolution. Cell-specific transcriptome analysis of double-labeled transgenic tilapia expressing GFP and RFP in LH or FSH cells, respectively, yielded genes specifically enriched in each cell type, revealing differences in hormone regulation, receptor expression, cell signaling, and electrical properties. Each cell type expresses a unique GPCR signature that reveals the direct regulation of metabolic and homeostatic hormones. Comparing these novel transcriptomes to that of rat gonadotrophs revealed conserved genes that might specifically contribute to each gonadotropin activity in mammals, suggesting conserved mechanisms controlling the differential regulation of gonadotropins in vertebrates.
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21
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Mu R, Yu YY, Gegen T, Wen D, Wang F, Chen Z, Xu WB. Transcriptome analysis of ovary tissues from low- and high-yielding Changshun green-shell laying hens. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:349. [PMID: 33990173 PMCID: PMC8122536 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07688-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Changshun green-shell laying hens are unique to Guizhou Province, China, and have high egg quality. Improving egg production performance has become an important breeding task, and in recent years, the development of high-throughput sequencing technology provides a fast and exact method for genetic selection. Therefore, we aimed to use this technology to analyze the differences between the ovarian mRNA transcriptome of low and high-yield Changshun green-shell layer hens, identify critical pathways and candidate genes involved in controlling the egg production rate, and provide basic data for layer breeding. Results The egg production rates of the low egg production group (LP) and the high egg production group (HP) were 68.00 ± 5.56 % and 93.67 ± 7.09 %, with significant differences between the groups (p < 0.01). Moreover, the egg weight, shell thickness, strength and layer weight of the LP were significantly greater than those of the HP (p < 0.05). More than 41 million clean reads per sample were obtained, and more than 90 % of the clean reads were mapped to the Gallus gallus genome. Further analysis identified 142 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and among them, 55 were upregulated and 87 were downregulated in the ovaries. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis identified 9 significantly enriched pathways, with the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway being the most enriched. GO enrichment analysis indicated that the GO term transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase activity, and the DEGs identified in this GO term, including PRLR, NRP1, IL15, BANK1, NTRK1, CCK, and HGF may be associated with crucial roles in the regulation of egg production. Conclusions The above-mentioned DEGs may be relevant for the molecular breeding of Changshun green-shell laying hens. Moreover, enrichment analysis indicated that the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway and receptor protein tyrosine kinases may play crucial roles in the regulation of ovarian function and egg production. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07688-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren Mu
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities Duyun, Jianjiang Road 5, 558000, Duyun, China
| | - Yi-Yin Yu
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities Duyun, Jianjiang Road 5, 558000, Duyun, China
| | - Tuya Gegen
- Library, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, 558000, Duyun, China
| | - Di Wen
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities Duyun, Jianjiang Road 5, 558000, Duyun, China
| | - Fen Wang
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities Duyun, Jianjiang Road 5, 558000, Duyun, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities Duyun, Jianjiang Road 5, 558000, Duyun, China.
| | - Wen-Bin Xu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China. .,School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, 315211, Ningbo, China.
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22
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Ladisa C, Ma Y, Habibi HR. Seasonally related metabolic changes and energy allocation associated with growth and reproductive phases in the liver of male goldfish (Carassius auratus). J Proteomics 2021; 241:104237. [PMID: 33894374 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction and growth follow a seasonal pattern in many fish species involving changes in gonadal development, growth, and metabolism. Significant metabolic energy is needed during gametogenesis in both female and male to produce hundreds of eggs and billions of sperms. Seasonal variations are controlled by the hormones of brain-pituitary-peripheral axis and are accompanied by significant metabolic changes. There is evidence that GnRH and GnIH are among the key neurohormones that regulate the reciprocal control of growth and reproduction. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in metabolic profile and energy allocation patterns at different stages of reproduction, using goldfish as a model organism and LC-MS as analytical platform for metabolic analysis. Goldfish undergoes a clear seasonal cycle of growth and reproduction. In vivo experiments were conducted at three different time point of the annual cycle: regressed gonadal phase (peak growth phase), mid gametogenesis and late gametogenesis. Emphasis is placed on changes in liver metabolic pathways to energetically sustain the physiological processes related to growth and reproduction. Moreover, we tested the hypothesis that GnRH and GnIH may play a role in the regulation of metabolism by investigating acute effects of these peptides at different stages of reproductive cycle. SIGNIFICANCE: The findings in this paper provide novel information on the seasonal changes in basal metabolism during different stages of reproductive cycle, and evidence for differential allocation of energy during reciprocal control of reproduction and growth in goldfish. Chemometrics combined with pathway-driven bioinformatics elucidated a shift in the metabolic profile, indicating distinct patterns of energy allocation in the reproductive and growth seasons. Furthermore, to our knowledge this is the first study to provide evidence for a possible regulatory role of GnRH and GnIH in liver metabolism and energy allocation patterns associated with growth and reproductive processes. Together our findings present a framework for better understanding of the hormonally induced changes in metabolism to energetically sustain growth and reproduction in fish and other oviparous species undergoing seasonal cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ladisa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Yifei Ma
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Hamid R Habibi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
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Rosin JM, Sinha S, Biernaskie J, Kurrasch DM. A subpopulation of embryonic microglia respond to maternal stress and influence nearby neural progenitors. Dev Cell 2021; 56:1326-1345.e6. [PMID: 33887203 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The interplay between hypothalamic neurons and microglia as they integrate stressors to regulate homeostasis is of growing interest. We asked if microglia in the embryonic hypothalamus were likewise stress responsive and, if so, whether their precocious activation perturbs nearby neural stem cell (NSC) programs. We performed single-cell transcriptomics to define embryonic hypothalamic microglia heterogeneity and identified four microglial subsets, including a subpopulation adjacent to NSCs that was responsive to gestational cold stress. Stress exposure elevated CCL3 and CCL4 secretion, but only in male brains, and ex vivo CCL4 treatment of hypothalamic NSCs altered proliferation and differentiation. Concomitantly, gestational stress decreased PVN oxytocin neurons only in male embryos, which was reversed by microglia depletion. Adult offspring exposed to gestational stress displayed altered social behaviors, which was likewise microglia dependent, but only in males. Collectively, immature hypothalamic microglia play an unappreciated role in translating maternal stressors to sexually dimorphic perturbation of neurodevelopmental programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Rosin
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Sarthak Sinha
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jeff Biernaskie
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Deborah M Kurrasch
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.
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24
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Fujikawa T. Central regulation of glucose metabolism in an insulin-dependent and -independent manner. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12941. [PMID: 33599044 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) contributes significantly to glucose homeostasis. The available evidence indicates that insulin directly acts on the CNS, in particular the hypothalamus, to regulate hepatic glucose production, thereby controlling whole-body glucose metabolism. Additionally, insulin also acts on the brain to regulate food intake and fat metabolism, which may indirectly regulate glucose metabolism. Studies conducted over the last decade have found that the CNS can regulate glucose metabolism in an insulin-independent manner. Enhancement of central leptin signalling reverses hyperglycaemia in insulin-deficient rodents. Here, I review the mechanisms by which central insulin and leptin actions regulate glucose metabolism. Although clinical studies have shown that insulin treatment is currently indispensable for managing diabetes, unravelling the neuronal mechanisms underlying the central regulation of glucose metabolism will pave the way for the design of novel therapeutic drugs for diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teppei Fujikawa
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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25
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Lenert ME, Chaparro MM, Burton MD. Homeostatic Regulation of Estrus Cycle of Young Female Mice on Western Diet. J Endocr Soc 2021; 5:bvab010. [PMID: 33733019 PMCID: PMC7947973 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvab010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The etiology of reproductive disorders correlates with weight gain in patients, but the link between reproduction, diet, and weight has been difficult to translate in rodents. As rates of childhood obesity and reproductive disorders increase, the need to study the effects of weight and diet on adolescent females is key. Previous studies show that female mice are resistant to high-fat diet-induced weight gain, but the mechanisms are unclear. Literature also suggests that ovarian function is essential to resistance in weight gain, as an ovariectomy leads to a weight-gaining phenotype similar to male mice on a high-fat diet. However, reproductive changes that occur in adolescent mice on high-fat diet have not been assessed. Here, we show that regulation of the estrus cycle via progesterone is critical to metabolic homeostasis in female mice on a high-fat diet. Female mice were put on high-fat diet or control diet for 12 weeks starting at 4 weeks of age. Every 4 weeks, their estrus cycle was tracked and fasting glucose was measured. We found that after 4 weeks on high-fat diet, there was no difference in weight between groups, but an increase in time spent in proestrus and estrus in mice on high-fat diet and an increase in serum progesterone during proestrus. These results show that intact females modulate their estrus cycle in response to a high-fat diet as a mechanism of homeostatic regulation of body weight, protecting them from metabolic abnormalities. Understanding the mechanisms behind this protection may yield therapeutic opportunities for treatment of reproductive disorders in adolescent female patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa E Lenert
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Group, Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | - Micaela M Chaparro
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Group, Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | - Michael D Burton
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Group, Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
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26
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Evans MC, Hill JW, Anderson GM. Role of insulin in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12930. [PMID: 33523515 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Infertility associated with insulin resistance is characterised by abnormal hormone secretion by the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and gonads. These endocrine tissues can maintain insulin sensitivity even when tissues such as the muscle and liver become insulin-resistant, resulting in excessive insulin stimulation as hyperinsulinaemia develops. Experiments conducted to determine the role of neuronal insulin signalling in fertility were unable to recapitulate early findings of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism in mice lacking insulin receptors throughout the brain. Rather, it was eventually shown that astrocytes critically mediate the effects of insulin on puberty timing and adult reproductive function. However, specific roles for neurones and gonadotrophs have been revealed under conditions of hyperinsulinaemia and by ablation of insulin and leptin receptors. The collective picture is one of multiple insulin-responsive inputs to gonadotrophin releasing hormone neurones, with astrocytes being the most important player.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie C Evans
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jennifer W Hill
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Greg M Anderson
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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27
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Gorbunova OL, Shirshev SV. Role of Kisspeptin in Regulation of Reproductive and Immune Reactions. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 85:839-853. [PMID: 33045946 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297920080015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The work is focused on physiological role of the hormone kisspeptin produced by neurons of the hypothalamus anterior zone, which is a key regulator of reproduction processes. Role of the hormone in transmission of information on metabolic activity and induction of the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus that determines gestation processes involving fertilization, placentation, fetal development, and child birth is considered. The literature data on molecular mechanisms and effects of kisspeptin on reproductive system including puberty initiation are summarized and analyzed. In addition, attention is paid to hormone-mediated changes in the cardiovascular system in pregnant women. For the first time, the review examines the effect of kisspeptin on functional activity of immune system cells presenting molecular mechanisms of the hormone signal transduction on the level of lymphoid cells that lead to the immune tolerance induction. In conclusion, a conceptual model is presented that determines the role of kisspeptin as an integrator of reproductive and immune functions during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- O L Gorbunova
- Perm Federal Research Center, Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, 614081, Russia.
| | - S V Shirshev
- Perm Federal Research Center, Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, 614081, Russia
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28
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Huisman C, Kim YA, Jeon S, Shin B, Choi J, Lim SJ, Youn SM, Park Y, K C M, Kim S, Lee SK, Lee S, Lee JW. The histone H3-lysine 4-methyltransferase Mll4 regulates the development of growth hormone-releasing hormone-producing neurons in the mouse hypothalamus. Nat Commun 2021; 12:256. [PMID: 33431871 PMCID: PMC7801453 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20511-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, inactivating mutations in MLL4, which encodes a histone H3-lysine 4-methyltransferase, lead to Kabuki syndrome (KS). While dwarfism is a cardinal feature of KS, the underlying etiology remains unclear. Here we report that Mll4 regulates the development of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)-producing neurons in the mouse hypothalamus. Our two Mll4 mutant mouse models exhibit dwarfism phenotype and impairment of the developmental programs for GHRH-neurons. Our ChIP-seq analysis reveals that, in the developing mouse hypothalamus, Mll4 interacts with the transcription factor Nrf1 to trigger the expression of GHRH-neuronal genes. Interestingly, the deficiency of Mll4 results in a marked reduction of histone marks of active transcription, while treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor AR-42 rescues the histone mark signature and restores GHRH-neuronal production in Mll4 mutant mice. Our results suggest that the developmental dysregulation of Mll4-directed epigenetic control of transcription plays a role in the development of GHRH-neurons and dwarfism phenotype in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Huisman
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Young A Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Shin Jeon
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 142604, USA
| | - Bongjin Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 142604, USA
| | - Jeonghoon Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Su Jeong Lim
- Department of Bioinformatics and Life Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Min Youn
- Department of Bioinformatics and Life Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Younjung Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 142604, USA
| | - Medha K C
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 142604, USA
| | - Sangsoo Kim
- Department of Bioinformatics and Life Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo-Kyung Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 142604, USA
| | - Seunghee Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Jae W Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 142604, USA.
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29
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Oghbaei H, Fattahi A, Hamidian G, Sadigh-Eteghad S, Ziaee M, Mahmoudi J. A closer look at the role of insulin for the regulation of male reproductive function. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 300:113643. [PMID: 33017586 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
While insulin demonstrates to have a considerable influence on the reproductive system, there are various unanswered questions regarding its precise sites, mechanisms of action, and roles for the developing and functioning of the adult male reproductive system. Apart from its effects on glucose level, insulin has an important role in the reproductive system directly by binding on insulin and IGF receptors in the brain and testis. To date, however, the effect of insulin or its alterations on blood-testis-barrier, as an important regulator of normal spermatogenesis and fertility, has not yet been studied. This review aimed to focus on the experimental and clinical studies to describe mechanisms by which insulin affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, testicular cells, spermatozoa, and sexual behavior. Moreover, we discussed the mechanism and impact of insulin changes in type 1 (insulin deficiency along with persisted or even increased sensitivity) and 2 (insulin resistance along with increased insulin level at the early stages of disease) diabetes and obesity on the male reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Oghbaei
- Department of Physiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Fattahi
- Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - GholamReza Hamidian
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeed Sadigh-Eteghad
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Ziaee
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Javad Mahmoudi
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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30
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Gregoric N, Groselj U, Bratina N, Debeljak M, Zerjav Tansek M, Suput Omladic J, Kovac J, Battelino T, Kotnik P, Avbelj Stefanija M. Two Cases With an Early Presented Proopiomelanocortin Deficiency-A Long-Term Follow-Up and Systematic Literature Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:689387. [PMID: 34177811 PMCID: PMC8220084 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.689387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) deficiency is an extremely rare inherited autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe obesity, adrenal insufficiency, skin hypopigmentation, and red hair. It is caused by pathogenic variants in the POMC gene that codes the proopiomelanocortin polypeptide which is cleaved to several peptides; the most notable ones are adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), alpha- and beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormones (α-MSH and β-MSH); the latter two are crucial in melanogenesis and the energy balance by regulating feeding behavior and energy homeostasis through melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R). The lack of its regulation leads to polyphagia and early onset severe obesity. A novel MC4R agonist, setmelanotide, has shown promising results regarding weight loss in patients with POMC deficiency. A systematic review on previously published clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with POMC deficiency and additional data obtained from two unrelated patients in our care was performed. A 25-year-old male patient, partly previously reported, was remarkable for childhood developed type 1 diabetes (T1D), transient growth hormone deficiency, and delayed puberty. The second case is a girl with an unusual presentation with central hypothyroidism and normal pigmentation of skin and hair. Of all evaluated cases, only 50% of patients had characteristic red hair, fair skin, and eye phenotype. Central hypothyroidism was reported in 36% of patients; furthermore, scarce adolescent data indicate possible growth axis dysbalance and central hypogonadism. T1D was unexpectedly prevalent in POMC deficiency, reported in 14% of patients, which could be an underestimation. POMC deficiency reveals to be a syndrome with several endocrinological abnormalities, some of which may become apparent with time. Apart from timely diagnosis, careful clinical follow-up of patients through childhood and adolescence for possible additional disease manifestations is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadan Gregoric
- Department for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urh Groselj
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Natasa Bratina
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marusa Debeljak
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Clinical Institute for Special Laboratory Diagnostics, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Zerjav Tansek
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jasna Suput Omladic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jernej Kovac
- Clinical Institute for Special Laboratory Diagnostics, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tadej Battelino
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Primoz Kotnik
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Magdalena Avbelj Stefanija
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- *Correspondence: Magdalena Avbelj Stefanija,
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31
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Sex differences in behavioral and metabolic effects of gene inactivation: The neuropeptide Y and Y receptors in the brain. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 119:333-347. [PMID: 33045245 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Brain and gonadal hormones interplay controls metabolic and behavioral functions in a sex-related manner. However, most translational neuroscience research related to animal models of endocrine and psychiatric disorders are often carried out in male animals only. The Neuropeptide Y (NPY) system shows sex-dependent differences and is sensitive to gonadal steroids. Based on published data from our and other laboratories, in this review we will discuss the sex related differences of NPY action on energy balance, bone homeostasis and behavior in rodents with the genetic manipulation of genes encoding NPY and its Y1, Y2 and Y5 cognate receptors. Comparative analyses of the phenotype of transgenic and knockout NPY and Y receptor rodents unravels sex dependent differences in the functions of this neurotransmission system, potentially helping to develop therapeutics for a variety of sex-related disorders including metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis and ethanol addiction.
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32
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Cardoso RC, West SM, Maia TS, Alves BRC, Williams GL. Nutritional control of puberty in the bovine female: prenatal and early postnatal regulation of the neuroendocrine system. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2020; 73:106434. [PMID: 32115309 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2020.106434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Puberty is a complex biological event that requires maturation of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis and subsequent initiation of high-frequency, episodic release of GnRH and LH. Nutrition is a critical factor affecting the neuroendocrine control of puberty. Although nutrient restriction during juvenile development delays puberty, elevated rates of body weight gain during this period facilitate pubertal maturation by programming hypothalamic centers that underlie the pubertal process. Recent findings suggest that maternal nutrition during gestation can also modulate the development of the fetal neuroendocrine axis, thus influencing puberty and subsequent reproductive function. Among the several metabolic signals, leptin plays a critical role in conveying metabolic information to the brain and, consequently, controlling puberty. The effects of leptin on GnRH secretion are mediated via an upstream neuronal network because GnRH neurons do not express the leptin receptor. Two neuronal populations located in the arcuate nucleus that express the orexigenic peptide neuropeptide Y (NPY), and the anorexigenic peptide alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone (αMSH), are key components of the neurocircuitry that conveys inhibitory (NPY) and excitatory (αMSH) inputs to GnRH neurons. In addition, neurons in the arcuate nucleus that coexpress kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin (termed KNDy neurons) are also involved in the metabolic control of puberty. Our studies in the bovine female demonstrate that increased planes of nutrition during juvenile development lead to organizational and functional changes in hypothalamic pathways comprising NPY, proopiomelanocortin (POMC, the precursor of αMSH), and kisspeptin neurons. Changes include alterations in the abundance of NPY, POMC, and Kiss1 mRNA and in plasticity of the neuronal projections to GnRH neurons. Our studies also indicate that epigenetic mechanisms, such as modifications in the DNA methylation pattern, are involved in this process. Finally, our most recent data demonstrate that maternal nutrition during gestation can also induce morphological and functional changes in the hypothalamic NPY system in the heifer offspring that are likely to persist long after birth. These organizational changes occurring during fetal development have the potential to not only impact puberty but also influence reproductive performance throughout adulthood in the bovine female.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Cardoso
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - S M West
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - T S Maia
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Beeville, TX, USA
| | - B R C Alves
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - G L Williams
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Beeville, TX, USA
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33
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Michael NJ, Watt MJ. Long Chain Fatty Acids Differentially Regulate Sub-populations of Arcuate POMC and NPY Neurons. Neuroscience 2020; 451:164-173. [PMID: 33002557 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.09.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) have been suggested to influence the activity of hypothalamic neurons, however, limited studies have attempted to identify the neurochemical phenotype of these neurons. We aimed to determine if physiological levels of LCFAs alter the electrical excitability of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. We utilised whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology on brain slice preparations from genetic mouse models where green fluorescent protein was expressed in either POMC or NPY expressing cells. All animals had undergone an overnight fast to replicate conditions in which fatty acids would usually increase. Bath application of LCFAs were found to predominantly inhibit POMC neurons and predominantly excite NPY neurons. Differences between oleic and palmitic acid were not observed. These results suggest that LCFAs in the cerebrospinal fluid exert an underlying orexigenic tone to key hypothalamic neurons known to regulate energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Michael
- Metabolic Disease, Obesity and Diabetes Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, VIC, Australia; Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City G1V4G5, Québec, Canada.
| | - Matthew J Watt
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, VIC, Australia
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34
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Prabhat A, Batra T, Kumar V. Effects of timed food availability on reproduction and metabolism in zebra finches: Molecular insights into homeostatic adaptation to food-restriction in diurnal vertebrates. Horm Behav 2020; 125:104820. [PMID: 32710887 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Food availability affects metabolism and reproduction in higher vertebrates including birds. This study tested the idea of adaptive homeostasis to time-restricted feeding (TRF) in diurnal zebra finches by using multiple (behavioral, physiological and molecular) assays. Adult birds were subjected for 1 week or 3 weeks to food restriction for 4 h in the evening (hour 8-12) of the 12 h light-on period, with controls on ad lib feeding. Birds on TRF showed enhanced exploratory behavior and plasma triglycerides levels, but did not show differences from ad lib birds in the overall food intake, body mass, and plasma corticosterone and thyroxine levels. As compared to ad lib feeding, testis size and circulation testosterone were reduced after first but not after third week of TRF. The concomitant change in the mRNA expression of metabolic and reproductive genes was also found after week 1 of TRF. Particularly, TRF birds showed increased expression of genes coding for gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) in hypothalamus, and for receptors of androgen (AR) and estrogen (ER-alpha) in both hypothalamus and testes. However, genes coding for the deiodinases (Dio2, Dio3) and gonadotropin inhibiting hormone (GnIH) showed no difference between feeding conditions in both hypothalamus and testes. Further, increased Sirt1, Fgf10 and Ppar-alpha, and decreased Egr1 expression in the liver suggested TRF-effects on the overall metabolism. Importantly, TRF-effects on gene expressions by week 1 seemed alleviated to a considerable extent by week 3. These results on TRF-induced reproductive and metabolic effects suggest homeostatic adaptation to food-restriction in diurnal vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhilash Prabhat
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India
| | - Twinkle Batra
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India.
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Cara AL, Myers MG, Elias CF. Lack of AR in LepRb Cells Disrupts Ambulatory Activity and Neuroendocrine Axes in a Sex-Specific Manner in Mice. Endocrinology 2020; 161:bqaa110. [PMID: 32609838 PMCID: PMC7383963 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Disorders of androgen imbalance, such as hyperandrogenism in females or hypoandrogenism in males, increase risk of visceral adiposity, type 2 diabetes, and infertility. Androgens act upon androgen receptors (AR) which are expressed in many tissues. In the brain, AR are abundant in hypothalamic nuclei involved in regulation of reproduction and energy homeostasis, yet the role of androgens acting via AR in specific neuronal populations has not been fully elucidated. Leptin receptor (LepRb)-expressing neurons coexpress AR predominantly in hypothalamic arcuate and ventral premammillary nuclei (ARH and PMv, respectively), with low colocalization in other LepRb neuronal populations, and very low colocalization in the pituitary gland and gonads. Deletion of AR from LepRb-expressing cells (LepRbΔAR) has no effect on body weight, energy expenditure, and glucose homeostasis in male and female mice. However, LepRbΔAR female mice show increased body length later in life, whereas male LepRbΔAR mice show an increase in spontaneous ambulatory activity. LepRbΔAR mice display typical pubertal timing, estrous cycles, and fertility, but increased testosterone levels in males. Removal of sex steroid negative feedback action induced an exaggerated rise in luteinizing hormone in LepRbΔAR males and follicle-stimulating hormone in LepRbΔAR females. Our findings show that AR can directly affect a subset of ARH and PMv neurons in a sex-specific manner and demonstrate specific androgenic actions in the neuroendocrine hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Cara
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Martin G Myers
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Carol F Elias
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Hanlon C, Ramachandran R, Zuidhof MJ, Bédécarrats GY. Should I Lay or Should I Grow: Photoperiodic Versus Metabolic Cues in Chickens. Front Physiol 2020; 11:707. [PMID: 32670092 PMCID: PMC7332832 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
While photoperiod has been generally accepted as the primary if not the exclusive cue to stimulate reproduction in photoperiodic breeders such as the laying hen, current knowledge suggests that metabolism, and/or body composition can also play an influential role to control the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal (HPG)-axis. This review thus intends to first describe how photoperiodic and metabolic cues can impact the HPG axis, then explore and propose potential common pathways and mechanisms through which both cues could be integrated. Photostimulation refers to a perceived increase in day-length resulting in the stimulation of the HPG. While photoreceptors are present in the retina of the eye and the pineal gland, it is the deep brain photoreceptors (DBPs) located in the hypothalamus that have been identified as the potential mediators of photostimulation, including melanopsin (OPN4), neuropsin (OPN5), and vertebrate-ancient opsin (VA-Opsin). Here, we present the current state of knowledge surrounding these DBPs, along with their individual and relative importance and, their possible downstream mechanisms of action to initiate the activation of the HPG axis. On the metabolic side, specific attention is placed on the hypothalamic integration of appetite control with the stimulatory (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone; GnRH) and inhibitory (Gonadotropin Inhibitory Hormone; GnIH) neuropeptides involved in the control of the HPG axis. Specifically, the impact of orexigenic peptides agouti-related peptide (AgRP), and neuropeptide Y (NPY), as well as the anorexigenic peptides pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), and cocaine-and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) is reviewed. Furthermore, beyond hypothalamic control, several metabolic factors involved in the control of body weight and composition are also presented as possible modulators of reproduction at all three levels of the HPG axis. These include peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) for its impact in liver metabolism during the switch from growth to reproduction, adiponectin as a potential modulator of ovarian development and follicular maturation, as well as growth hormone (GH), and leptin (LEP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlene Hanlon
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Ramesh Ramachandran
- Center for Reproductive Biology and Health, Department of Animal Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Martin J. Zuidhof
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Parker CG, Cheung E. Metabolic control of teleost reproduction by leptin and its complements: Understanding current insights from mammals. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 292:113467. [PMID: 32201232 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction is expensive. Hence, reproductive physiology is sensitive to an array of endogenous signals that provide information on metabolic and nutritional sufficiency. Although metabolic gating of reproductive function in mammals, as evidenced by studies demonstrating delayed puberty and perturbed fertility, has long been understood to be a function of energy sufficiency, an understanding of the endocrine regulators of this relationship have emerged only within recent decades. Peripheral signals including leptin and cortisol have long been implicated in the physiological integration of metabolism and reproduction. Recent studies have begun to explore possible roles for these two hormones in the regulation of reproduction in teleost fishes, as well as a role for leptin as a catabolic stress hormone. In this review, we briefly explore the reproductive actions of leptin and cortisol in mammals and teleost fishes and possible role of both hormones as putative modulators of the reproductive axis during stress events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coltan G Parker
- Neuroscience Program, Beckman Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 405 N Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Eugene Cheung
- Department of Biological Sciences, David Clark Labs, 100 Brooks Avenue, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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Hu Y, Li J, Zhu Y, Li M, Lin J, Yang L, Wang C, Lu Z. Development and characterization of an Otp conditional loss of function allele. Genesis 2020; 58:e23370. [PMID: 32468663 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Orthopedia (Otp) is a homeodomain transcription factor that plays an essential role in the development of hypothalamic neurosecretory systems. Loss of Otp results in the failure of differentiation of key hypothalamic neuroendocrine cell types, and pups die soon after birth. Although the constitutive knockout Otp mouse model (Otp KO ) has significantly expanded our understanding of Otp's function in vivo, a conditional loss of function Otp allele that enables tissue or cell-type specific ablation of Otp has not been developed. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to generate a conditional Otp knockout mouse line in which exon 2 of the murine Otp gene is flanked by LoxP sites (Otp f/f ). Crossing the Otp f/f mouse with Agrp-Ires-cre mouse, we demonstrate the requirement for Otp in the continuous differentiation of AgRP neurons after cell fate determination. We also show that the residual AgRP neurons in Agrp-Ires-cre;Otp f/f mice project to similar downstream target regions. This newly developed Otp f/f mouse can be used to explore the functions of Otp with cell-type or temporal specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Hu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiamin Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyuan Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Key Lab of Drug Addiction, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mengqi Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Key Lab of Drug Addiction, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianbang Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lixin Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chuan Wang
- Naval Medical Center of PLA, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhonghua Lu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Chen L, Wei J, Zhu H, Pan H, Fang D. Energy supplementation rescues growth restriction and female infertility of mice with hepatic HRD1 ablation. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:2018-2027. [PMID: 32509196 PMCID: PMC7270037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Severe dietary restriction, catabolic states and even short-term caloric deprivation impair fertility in mammals including human, which is often reversible by restoration of the energy supplementation. The dysregulated crosstalk among multiple organs is possibly involved in this process. However, ideal experimental animal models are needed to illuminate functional crosstalk among distal organs during the starvation pathogenesis. We have recently discovered that conditional hepatic HRD1 gene deletion results in elevated energy expenditure and consequently leads to growth retardation and female fertility. Herein, we discovered that both growth retardation and female infertility of liver-specific HRD1 knockout mice could be fully rescued by additional energy supplementation upon HFD feeding. Hepatic HRD1 deletion appears to impair by the pituitary gland functions in secreting critical hormones in growth and female fertility including growth hormone (GH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizinghormone (LH) because a dramatic reduction in the sera levels of all three hormones were detected in liver HRD1 KO mice, which consequently shortened their tibia lengths and impaired the ovary functions in females. HFD feeding for six weeks largely restored all three hormones in liver HRD1 KO mice back to levels comparable with those in WT mice. In addition, the growth hormone induced activation of JAK-STAT5 pathway was inhibited by HRD1 deletion, and additional energy supplementation upon HFD feeding restored STAT5 transcriptional activation. Our studies establish a unique mouse model to study liver crosstalk with distal organs in regulating energy balance in growth and female fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical ScienceBeijing 100730, China
| | - Juncheng Wei
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Huijuan Zhu
- Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical ScienceBeijing 100730, China
| | - Hui Pan
- Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical ScienceBeijing 100730, China
| | - Deyu Fang
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL 60611, USA
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Talbi R, Navarro VM. Novel insights into the metabolic action of Kiss1 neurons. Endocr Connect 2020; 9:R124-R133. [PMID: 32348961 PMCID: PMC7274555 DOI: 10.1530/ec-20-0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Kiss1 neurons are essential regulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by regulating gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release. Compelling evidence suggests that Kiss1 neurons of the arcuate nucleus (Kiss1ARC), recently identified as the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator driving fertility, also participate in the regulation of metabolism through kisspeptinergic and glutamatergic interactions with, at least, proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP)/neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons, located in close apposition with Kiss1ARC. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the recent developments, mainly derived from animal models, on the role of Kiss1 neurons in the regulation of energy balance, including food intake, energy expenditure and the influence of circadian rhythms on this role. Furthermore, the possible neuroendocrine pathways underlying this effect, and the existing controversies related to the anorexigenic action of kisspeptin in the different experimental models, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajae Talbi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Victor M Navarro
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to V M Navarro:
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Rahimiyan-Heravan M, Roshangar L, Karimi P, Sefidgari-Abrasi S, Morshedi M, Saghafi-Asl M, Bavafa-Valenlia K. The potential therapeutic effects of Lactobacillus plantarum and inulin on serum and testicular reproductive markers in diabetic male rats. Diabetol Metab Syndr 2020; 12:53. [PMID: 32607132 PMCID: PMC7318432 DOI: 10.1186/s13098-020-00560-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is well established that diminished reproductive health is one of the notable long-term outcomes of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), especially among males. Due to the global increasing rate of T2DM and infertility, we aimed to investigate the impact of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum), inulin, and their combinatory supplementation on fertility markers as well as testicular kisspeptin and androgen receptor (AR)'s expression in diabetic male rats. METHODS Thirty-five Male Wistar rats with Streptozotocin-induced T2DM were supplemented with L. plantarum, inulin, or their combination for 8 weeks. At the end-point, the animals were sacrificed and serum, testicular, and seminal parameters were studied. RESULTS Administration of L. plantarum and inulin in diabetic male rats improved sperm motility and viability (P < 0.001, both) as well as testicular tissue development via increasing leydig cell number, testicular spermatid count, and diameter of seminiferous tubules (P < 0.001, all). Testicular expression of Kisspeptin was elevated by inulin supplementation (P = 0.01). L. plantarum administration increased testicular AR expression (P = 0.01). The expression of Kisspeptin showed a remarkable correlation with fertility markers (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Supplementation with either L. plantarum, inulin, or their combination can prevent infertility caused by T2DM in male rats via improving testicular kisspeptin and AR expression, leydig cell count, and effectively increasing epididymal sperm motility and viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marziyeh Rahimiyan-Heravan
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Leila Roshangar
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Pouran Karimi
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Safa Sefidgari-Abrasi
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Morshedi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Maryam Saghafi-Asl
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Bavafa-Valenlia
- Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Lainez NM, Coss D. Obesity, Neuroinflammation, and Reproductive Function. Endocrinology 2019; 160:2719-2736. [PMID: 31513269 PMCID: PMC6806266 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The increasing occurrence of obesity has become a significant public health concern. Individuals with obesity have higher prevalence of heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and reproductive disorders. Reproductive problems include menstrual irregularities, pregnancy complications, and infertility due to anovulation, in women, and lower testosterone and diminished sperm count, in men. In particular, women with obesity have reduced levels of both gonadotropin hormones, and, in obese men, lower testosterone is accompanied by diminished LH. Taken together, these findings indicate central dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, specifically at the level of the GnRH neuron function, which is the final brain output for the regulation of reproduction. Obesity is a state of hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperleptinemia, and chronic inflammation. Herein, we review recent advances in our understanding of how these metabolic and immune changes affect hypothalamic function and regulation of GnRH neurons. In the latter part, we focus on neuroinflammation as a major consequence of obesity and discuss findings that reveal that GnRH neurons are uniquely positioned to respond to inflammatory changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy M Lainez
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
| | - Djurdjica Coss
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
- Correspondence: Djurdjica Coss, PhD, Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 303 SOM Research Building, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521. E-mail:
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Freda PU, Reyes-Vidal C, Jin Z, Pugh M, Panigrahi SK, Bruce JN, Wardlaw SL. Plasma Agouti-Related Protein Levels in Acromegaly and Effects of Surgical or Pegvisomant Therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:5453-5461. [PMID: 31361303 PMCID: PMC6777636 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2019-01079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT GH activates agouti-related protein (AgRP) neurons, leading to orexigenic responses in mice. The relationship between serum GH and plasma AgRP, which has been shown to reflect hypothalamic AgRP, has not been evaluated in humans. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that central stimulatory actions of GH on hypothalamic AgRP could be reflected in plasma AgRP in acromegaly. METHODS We studied 23 patients with active acromegaly before and for ≤2 years after surgical (n = 13) or GH receptor antagonist therapy with pegvisomant (n = 10), and 100 healthy subjects with morning fasting blood samples for AgRP, leptin, GH, and IGF-1 and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS The plasma AgRP levels were higher in those with active acromegaly than in the matched healthy subjects [median, 100 pg/mL; interquartile range (IQR), 78 to 139 pg/mL vs median, 63 pg/mL; IQR, 58 to 67 pg/mL; P < 0.0001]. Plasma AgRP decreased from before to after surgery (median, 102 pg/mL; IQR, 82 to 124 pg/mL vs median, 63 pg/mL; IQR, 55.6 to 83 pg/mL; P = 0.0024) and from before to during pegvisomant therapy (median, 97 pg/mL; IQR, 77 to 175 pg/mL vs median, 63; IQR, 61 to 109 pg/mL; P = 0.006). The plasma AgRP level correlated with GH (r = 0.319; P = 0.011) and IGF-1 (r = 0.292; P = 0.002). In repeated measure analysis, AgRP was significantly associated with IGF-1. CONCLUSIONS Our data have provided evidence of a stimulatory effect of GH on plasma AgRP in humans. The levels were greater in active acromegaly and decreased in parallel with GH and IGF-1 decreases with acromegaly treatment. Data from mice suggest that AgRP may mediate some of the known effects of GH on energy metabolism. This warrants further study in patients with acromegaly and other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela U Freda
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: Pamela U. Freda, MD, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, 650 West 168th Street, Room 1014, New York, New York 10032. E-mail:
| | - Carlos Reyes-Vidal
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Zhezhen Jin
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Mya Pugh
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Sunil K Panigrahi
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Jeffrey N Bruce
- Department of Neurosurgery, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Sharon L Wardlaw
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
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Liu K, Cao H, Dong X, Liu H, Wen Y, Mao H, Lu L, Yin Z. Polymorphisms of pro-opiomelanocortin gene and the association with reproduction traits in chickens. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 210:106196. [PMID: 31635770 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) is a member of prohormone family and has important functions in stress response, skin pigmentation, thermoregulation and reproduction. In this study, the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of POMC gene exons were detected by direct sequencing in 317 Zhenning yellow chickens. The sequencing results indicated there were seven mutation sites (g.1140C > T, g.1185 T > C, g.2085 T > C, g.3566A > C, g.3572 G > A, g.3594 G > A and g.3628 G > A) and all of these were synonymous. Furthermore, seven haplotypes were formed and sixteen diplotypes were obtained. The associations between the POMC gene polymorphisms or diplotypes and reproduction traits were also analyzed. The association analysis results indicated that the SNP of g.1140C > T was associated with egg production at 300 d of age (E300), fertilization rate (FR), hatching rate of hatching eggs (HEHR) and hatching rate of fertilized eggs (FEHR; P < 0.05). The SNP of g.3566A>C was associated with FR (P < 0.05), SNP of g.3594G>A was associated with egg weight at 300d of age (EW300; P < 0.05), and SNP of g.3628G>A was associated with HEHR and FEHR (P < 0.01), respectively. Furthermore, chickens with H2H3 diplotype had greater EW300 and FR than those with H1H7 and H3H4 diplotypes (P < 0.05). These results indicate the expression of the POMC gene had significant genotype effects on the reproduction traits of Zhenning yellow chickens, and that the H2H3 diplotype could be used as a potential genetic marker to improve the reproduction traits in chicken breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Haiyue Cao
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xinyang Dong
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Honghua Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yaya Wen
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Haiguang Mao
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lei Lu
- Ningbo Zhenning Animal Husbandry Co. Ltd, Ningbo 315000, China
| | - Zhaozheng Yin
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Semple E, Shalabi F, Hill JW. Oxytocin Neurons Enable Melanocortin Regulation of Male Sexual Function in Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:6310-6323. [PMID: 30756300 PMCID: PMC6684847 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1514-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin pathway has been implicated in both metabolism and sexual function. When the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is knocked out globally, male mice display obesity, low sexual desire, and copulatory difficulties; however, it is unclear whether these phenotypes are interdependent. To elucidate the neuronal circuitry involved in sexual dysfunction in MC4R knockouts, we re-expressed the MC4R in these mice exclusively on Sim1 neurons (tbMC4RSim1 mice) or on a subset of Sim1 neurons, namely oxytocin neurons (tbMC4Roxt mice). The groups were matched at young ages to control for the effects of obesity. Interestingly, young MC4R null mice had no deficits in sexual motivation or erectile function. However, MC4R null mice were found to have an increased latency to reach ejaculation compared to control mice, which was restored in both tbMC4RSim1 and tbMC4Roxt mice. These results indicate that melanocortin signaling via the MC4R on oxytocin neurons is important for normal ejaculation independent of the male's metabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Semple
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Firas Shalabi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Jennifer W Hill
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
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Huisman C, Cho H, Brock O, Lim SJ, Youn SM, Park Y, Kim S, Lee SK, Delogu A, Lee JW. Single cell transcriptome analysis of developing arcuate nucleus neurons uncovers their key developmental regulators. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3696. [PMID: 31420539 PMCID: PMC6697706 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11667-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the crucial physiological processes governed by neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), such as growth, reproduction and energy homeostasis, the developmental pathways and regulators for ARC neurons remain understudied. Our single cell RNA-seq analyses of mouse embryonic ARC revealed many cell type-specific markers for developing ARC neurons. These markers include transcription factors whose expression is enriched in specific neuronal types and often depleted in other closely-related neuronal types, raising the possibility that these transcription factors play important roles in the fate commitment or differentiation of specific ARC neuronal types. We validated this idea with the two transcription factors, Foxp2 enriched for Ghrh-neurons and Sox14 enriched for Kisspeptin-neurons, using Foxp2- and Sox14-deficient mouse models. Taken together, our single cell transcriptome analyses for the developing ARC uncovered a panel of transcription factors that are likely to form a gene regulatory network to orchestrate fate specification and differentiation of ARC neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Huisman
- Neuroscience Section, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Hyeyoung Cho
- Neuroscience Section, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Olivier Brock
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9RS, UK
| | - Su Jeong Lim
- Department of Bioinformatics and Life Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Min Youn
- Department of Bioinformatics and Life Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Younjung Park
- Neuroscience Section, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Sangsoo Kim
- Department of Bioinformatics and Life Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo-Kyung Lee
- Neuroscience Section, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Alessio Delogu
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9RS, UK.
| | - Jae W Lee
- Neuroscience Section, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA.
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Rosin JM, Kurrasch DM. Emerging roles for hypothalamic microglia as regulators of physiological homeostasis. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 54:100748. [PMID: 31059719 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamus is a crucial brain region that responds to external stressors and functions to maintain physiological homeostatic processes, such as core body temperature and energy balance. The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis by producing hormones that thereby influence the production of other hormones that then control the internal milieu of the body. Microglia are resident macrophages and phagocytic immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), classically known for surveying the brain's environment, responding to neural insults, and disposing of cellular debris. Recent evidence has shown that microglia are also responsive to external stressors and can influence both the development and function of the hypothalamus in a sex-dependent manner. This emerging microglia-hypothalamic interaction raises the intriguing notion that microglia might play an unappreciated role in hypothalamic control of physiological homeostasis. In this review, we briefly outline how the hypothalamus regulates physiological homeostasis and then describe how this literature overlaps with our understanding of microglia's role in the CNS. We also outline the current literature demonstrating how microglia loss or activation affects the hypothalamus, and ultimately homeostasis. We conclude by proposing how microglia could be key regulators of homeostatic processes by sensing cues external to the CNS and transmitting them through the hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Rosin
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Deborah M Kurrasch
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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Yao W, Liu W, Deng K, Wang Z, Wang DH, Zhang XY. GnRH expression and cell proliferation are associated with seasonal breeding and food hoarding in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Horm Behav 2019; 112:42-53. [PMID: 30922890 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Seasonal brain plasticity contributes to a variety of physiological and behavioral processes. We hypothesized that variations in GnRH expression and cell proliferation facilitated seasonal breeding and food hoarding. Here, we reported seasonal changes in sexual and social behavior, GnRH expression and brain cell proliferation, and the role of photoperiod in inducing seasonal breeding and brain plasticity in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). The gerbils captured in April and July had more mature sexual development, higher exploratory behavior, and preferred novelty much more than those captured in September. Male gerbils captured in April and July had consistently higher GnRH expression than those captured in September. GnRH expression was also found to be suppressed by food-induced hoarding behavior in the breeding season. Both subadult and adult gerbils from April and July had higher cell proliferation in SVZ, hypothalamus and amygdala compared to those in September. However, adult gerbils captured in September preferred familiar objects, and no seasonal differences were found in cell proliferation in hippocampal dentate gyrus among the three seasons. The laboratory study showed that photoperiod alone did not alter reproductive traits, behavior, cell proliferation or cell survival in the detected brain regions. These findings suggest that the structural variations in GnRH expression in hypothalamus and cell proliferation in hypothalamus, amygdala and hippocampus are associated with seasonal breeding and food hoarding in gerbils. It gives a new insight into the proximate physiological and neural basis for these seasonal life-history traits of breeding and food hoarding in small mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute of Health Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ke Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1270, USA
| | - De-Hua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Xue-Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Choi I, Rickert E, Fernandez M, Webster NJG. SIRT1 in Astrocytes Regulates Glucose Metabolism and Reproductive Function. Endocrinology 2019; 160:1547-1560. [PMID: 31127273 PMCID: PMC6542483 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) is an NAD-dependent class III deacetylase that functions as a cellular energy sensor. In addition to its well-characterized effects in peripheral tissues, evidence suggests that SIRT1 in neurons plays a role in the central regulation of energy balance and reproduction, but no studies have addressed the contribution of astrocytes. We show here that overexpression of SIRT1 in astrocytes causes markedly increased food intake, body weight gain, and glucose intolerance, but expression of a deacetylase-deficient SIRT1 mutant decreases food intake and body weight and improves glucose tolerance, particularly in female mice. Paradoxically, the effect of these SIRT1 mutants on insulin tolerance was reversed, with overexpression showing greater insulin sensitivity. The mice overexpressing SIRT1 were more active, generated more heat, and had elevated oxygen consumption, possibly in compensation for the increased food intake. The female overexpressing mice were also more sensitive to diet-induced obesity. Reproductively, the mice expressing the deacetylase-deficient SIRT1 mutant had impaired estrous cycles, decreased LH surges, and fewer corpora lutea, indicating decreased ovulation. The GnRH neurons were responsive to kisspeptin stimulation, but hypothalamic expression of Kiss1 was reduced in the mutant mice. Our results showed that SIRT1 signaling in astrocytes can contribute to metabolic and reproductive regulation independent of SIRT1 effects in neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Choi
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California
| | - Emily Rickert
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Marina Fernandez
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Nicholas J G Webster
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Correspondence: Nicholas J. G. Webster, PhD, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093. E-mail:
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Rajeswari JJ, Hatef A, Golshan M, Alavi SMH, Unniappan S. Metabolic stress leads to divergent changes in the ghrelinergic system in goldfish (Carassius auratus) gonads. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2019; 235:112-120. [PMID: 31158494 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Various endocrine factors that regulate energy homeostasis are also implicated in the reproductive physiology of mammals. However, the hormonal link between metabolism and reproduction in fish is poorly understood. Ghrelin is a multifunctional hormone with both metabolic and reproductive roles in vertebrates. Post-translational acylation by ghrelin-O-acyltransferase (GOAT) is critical for its biological actions. The expression of ghrelin, ghrelin or growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), and GOAT (which forms the ghrelinergic system) in fish under metabolic stress remains unclear. In this research, we used RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis to determine the expression of the ghrelinergic system in goldfish (during the reproductively active phase) hypothalamus and gonads under 7 and 28 days of fasting. We found a significant increase in preproghrelin mRNA expresson in the ovary, and GOAT mRNA expression in the testis of goldfish deprived of food for 7 days. In fish deprived of food for 28 days, preproghrelin, GHSR and GOAT mRNA expression was significantly increased in the hypothalamus of male goldfish. Such differences were not observed in the hypothalamus of female fish, and in the testis of 28 days fasted fish. Meanwhile, preproghrelin, GHSR, and GOAT expression (both mRNA and protein) was significantly increased in the ovary of female fish fasted for 28 days. Ghrelin has been shown to suppress oocyte maturation in fish. The upregulation of a system that has ovarian inbititory roles suggests a role for ghrelin in maintaining reduced reproductive capability during metabolically challenging periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jithine Jayakumar Rajeswari
- Laboratory of Integrative Neuroendocrinology, Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - Azadeh Hatef
- Laboratory of Integrative Neuroendocrinology, Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - Mahdi Golshan
- Laboratory of Integrative Neuroendocrinology, Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5B4, Canada; Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Tehran, Iran; South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Vodňany 389 25, Czech Republic
| | - Sayyed Mohammad Hadi Alavi
- South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Vodňany 389 25, Czech Republic; School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, P.O.Box: 14155-6455, Tehran, Iran
| | - Suraj Unniappan
- Laboratory of Integrative Neuroendocrinology, Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5B4, Canada.
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