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Nakamura S, Sasaki T, Uenoyama Y, Inoue N, Nakanishi M, Yamada K, Morishima A, Suzumura R, Kitagawa Y, Morita Y, Ohkura S, Tsukamura H. Raphe glucose-sensing serotonergic neurons stimulate KNDy neurons to enhance LH pulses via 5HT2CR: rat and goat studies. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10190. [PMID: 38702366 PMCID: PMC11068885 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58470-4] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of central serotonergic neurons is known to cause depressive disorders in humans, who often show reproductive and/or glucose metabolism disorders. This study examined whether dorsal raphe (DR) serotonergic neurons sense high glucose availability to upregulate reproductive function via activating hypothalamic arcuate (ARC) kisspeptin neurons (= KNDy neurons), a dominant stimulator of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/gonadotropin pulses, using female rats and goats. RNA-seq and histological analysis revealed that stimulatory serotonin-2C receptor (5HT2CR) was mainly expressed in the KNDy neurons in female rats. The serotonergic reuptake inhibitor administration into the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH), including the ARC, significantly blocked glucoprivic suppression of luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses and hyperglycemia induced by intravenous 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) administration in female rats. A local infusion of glucose into the DR significantly increased in vivo serotonin release in the MBH and partly restored LH pulses and hyperglycemia in the 2DG-treated female rats. Furthermore, central administration of serotonin or a 5HT2CR agonist immediately evoked GnRH pulse generator activity, and central 5HT2CR antagonism blocked the serotonin-induced facilitation of GnRH pulse generator activity in ovariectomized goats. These results suggest that DR serotonergic neurons sense high glucose availability to reduce gluconeogenesis and upregulate reproductive function by activating GnRH/LH pulse generator activity in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Nakamura
- Laboratory of Animal Production Science, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Togo-cho, Aichi, 470-0151, Japan
| | - Takuya Sasaki
- Laboratory of Animal Production Science, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Togo-cho, Aichi, 470-0151, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Uenoyama
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Naoko Inoue
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Marina Nakanishi
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Koki Yamada
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Ai Morishima
- Laboratory of Animal Production Science, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Togo-cho, Aichi, 470-0151, Japan
| | - Reika Suzumura
- Laboratory of Animal Production Science, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Togo-cho, Aichi, 470-0151, Japan
| | - Yuri Kitagawa
- Laboratory of Animal Production Science, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Togo-cho, Aichi, 470-0151, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Morita
- Laboratory of Animal Production Science, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Togo-cho, Aichi, 470-0151, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ohkura
- Laboratory of Animal Production Science, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Togo-cho, Aichi, 470-0151, Japan
| | - Hiroko Tsukamura
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan.
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Nestor CC, Merkley CM, Lehman MN, Hileman SM, Goodman RL. KNDy neurons as the GnRH pulse generator: Recent studies in ruminants. Peptides 2023; 164:171005. [PMID: 36990389 PMCID: PMC10164117 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171005] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
This review considers three aspects of recent work on the role of KNDy neurons in GnRH pulse generation in ruminants. First, work on basic mechanisms of pulse generation includes several tests of this hypothesis, all of which support it, and evidence that Kiss1r-containing neurons form a positive feedback circuit with the KNDy neural network that strengthen the activity of this network. The second section on pathways mediating external inputs focuses on the influence of nutrition and photoperiod, and describes the evidence supporting roles for proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) afferents to KNDy cells in each of these. Finally, we review studies exploring the potential applications of manipulating signaling by kisspeptin, and the other KNDy peptides, to control reproductive function in domestic animals and conclude that, although these approaches show some promise, they do not have major advantages over current practices at this time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey C Nestor
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | - Michael N Lehman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Stanley M Hileman
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Toxicology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Robert L Goodman
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Toxicology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
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Prashar V, Arora T, Singh R, Sharma A, Parkash J. Hypothalamic Kisspeptin Neurons: Integral Elements of the GnRH System. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:802-822. [PMID: 35799018 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01027-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Highly sophisticated and synchronized interactions of various cells and hormonal signals are required to make organisms competent for reproduction. GnRH neurons act as a common pathway for multiple cues for the onset of puberty and attaining reproductive function. GnRH is not directly receptive to most of the signals required for the GnRH secretion during the various phases of the ovarian cycle. Kisspeptin neurons of the hypothalamus convey these signals required for the synchronized release of the GnRH. The steroid-sensitive anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) kisspeptin and arcuate nucleus (ARC) KNDy neurons convey steroid feedback during the reproductive cycle necessary for GnRH surge and pulse, respectively. AVPV region kisspeptin neurons also communicate with nNOS synthesizing neurons and suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) neurons to coordinate the process of the ovarian cycle. Neurokinin B (NKB) and dynorphin play roles in the GnRH pulse stimulation and inhibition, respectively. The loss of NKB and kisspeptin function results in the development of neuroendocrine disorders such as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) and infertility. Ca2+ signaling is essential for GnRH pulse generation, which is propagated through gap junctions between astrocytes-KNDy and KNDy-KNDy neurons. Impaired functioning of KNDy neurons could develop the characteristics associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in rodents. Kisspeptin-increased synthesis led to excessive secretion of the LH associated with PCOS. This review provides the latest insights and understanding into the role of the KNDy and AVPV/POA kisspeptin neurons in GnRH secretion and PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikash Prashar
- Department of Zoology, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Tania Arora
- Department of Zoology, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Randeep Singh
- Department of Zoology, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Arti Sharma
- Department of Computational Sciences, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Jyoti Parkash
- Department of Zoology, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, 151401, Punjab, India.
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Uenoyama Y, Tsuchida H, Nagae M, Inoue N, Tsukamura H. Opioidergic pathways and kisspeptin in the regulation of female reproduction in mammals. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:958377. [PMID: 36033602 PMCID: PMC9404872 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.958377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous opioid peptides have attracted attention as critical neuropeptides in the central mechanism regulating female reproduction ever since the discovery that arcuate dynorphin neurons that coexpress kisspeptin and neurokinin B (NKB), which are also known as kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin (KNDy) neurons, play a role as a master regulator of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release in mammals. In this study, we first focus on the role of dynorphin released by KNDy neurons in the GnRH pulse generation. Second, we provide a historical overview of studies on endogenous opioid peptides. Third, we discuss how endogenous opioid peptides modulate tonic GnRH/gonadotropin release in female mammals as a mediator of inhibitory internal and external cues, such as ovarian steroids, nutritional status, or stress, on reproduction. Then, we discuss the role of endogenous opioid peptides in GnRH surge generation in female mammals.
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Tsukamura H. Kobayashi Award 2019: The neuroendocrine regulation of the mammalian reproduction. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2022; 315:113755. [PMID: 33711315 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian reproductive function is a complex system of many players orchestrated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. The hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and the consequent pituitary gonadotropin release show two modes of secretory patterns, namely the surge and pulse modes. The surge mode is triggered by the positive feedback action of estrogen secreted from the mature ovarian follicle to induce ovulation in females of most mammalian species. The pulse mode of GnRH release is required for stimulating tonic gonadotropin secretion to drive folliculogenesis, spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis and is negatively fine-tuned by the sex steroids. Accumulating evidence suggests that hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons are the master regulator for animal reproduction to govern the HPG axis. Specifically, kisspeptin neurons located in the anterior hypothalamus, such as the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) in rodents and preoptic nucleus (POA) in ruminants, primates and others, and the neurons located in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) in posterior hypothalamus in most mammals are considered to play a key role in generating the surge and pulse modes of GnRH release, respectively. The present article focuses on the role of AVPV (or POA) kisspeptin neurons as a center for GnRH surge generation and of the ARC kisspeptin neurons as a center for GnRH pulse generation to mediate estrogen positive and negative feedback mechanisms, respectively, and discusses how the estrogen epigenetically regulates kisspeptin gene expression in these two populations of neurons. This article also provides the mechanism how malnutrition and lactation suppress GnRH/gonadotropin pulses through an inhibition of the ARC kisspeptin neurons. Further, the article discusses the programming effect of estrogen on kisspeptin neurons in the developmental brain to uncover the mechanism underlying the sex difference in GnRH/gonadotropin release as well as an irreversible infertility induced by supra-physiological estrogen exposure in rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Tsukamura
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
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Stevenson H, Bartram S, Charalambides MM, Murthy S, Petitt T, Pradeep A, Vineall O, Abaraonye I, Lancaster A, Koysombat K, Patel B, Abbara A. Kisspeptin-neuron control of LH pulsatility and ovulation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:951938. [PMID: 36479214 PMCID: PMC9721495 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.951938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Feedback from oestradiol (E2) plays a critical role in the regulation of major events in the physiological menstrual cycle including the release of gonadotrophins to stimulate follicular growth, and the mid-cycle luteinising hormone (LH) surge that leads to ovulation. E2 predominantly exerts its action via oestrogen receptor-alpha (ERα), however, as gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons lack ERα, E2-feedback is posited to be indirectly mediated via upstream neurons. Kisspeptin (KP) is a neuropeptide expressed in hypothalamic KP-neurons that control GnRH secretion and plays a key role in the central mechanism regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. In the rodent arcuate (ARC) nucleus, KP is co-expressed with Neurokinin B and Dynorphin; and thus, these neurons are termed 'Kisspeptin-Neurokinin B-Dynorphin' (KNDy) neurons. ARC KP-neurons function as the 'GnRH pulse generator' to regulate GnRH pulsatility, as well as mediating negative feedback from E2. A second KP neuronal population is present in the rostral periventricular area of the third ventricle (RP3V), which includes anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) nucleus and preoptic area neurons. These RP3V KP-neurons mediate positive feedback to induce the mid-cycle luteinising hormone (LH) surge and subsequent ovulation. Here, we describe the role of KP-neurons in these two regions in mediating this differential feedback from oestrogens. We conclude by considering reproductive diseases for which exploitation of these mechanisms could yield future therapies.
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Uenoyama Y, Nagae M, Tsuchida H, Inoue N, Tsukamura H. Role of KNDy Neurons Expressing Kisspeptin, Neurokinin B, and Dynorphin A as a GnRH Pulse Generator Controlling Mammalian Reproduction. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:724632. [PMID: 34566891 PMCID: PMC8458932 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.724632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence accumulated during the past two decades has demonstrated that the then-novel kisspeptin, which was discovered in 2001, the known neuropeptides neurokinin B and dynorphin A, which were discovered in 1983 and 1979, respectively, and their G-protein-coupled receptors, serve as key molecules that control reproduction in mammals. The present review provides a brief historical background and a summary of our recent understanding of the roles of hypothalamic neurons expressing kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin A, referred to as KNDy neurons, in the central mechanism underlying gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generation and subsequent tonic gonadotropin release that controls mammalian reproduction.
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Wu HM, Chang HM, Leung PCK. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs: Mechanisms of action and clinical applications in female reproduction. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 60:100876. [PMID: 33045257 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Extra-hypothalamic GnRH and extra-pituitary GnRH receptors exist in multiple human reproductive tissues, including the ovary, endometrium and myometrium. Recently, new analogs (agonists and antagonists) and modes of GnRH have been developed for clinical application during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for assisted reproductive technology (ART). Additionally, the analogs and upstream regulators of GnRH suppress gonadotropin secretion and regulate the functions of the reproductive axis. GnRH signaling is primarily involved in the direct control of female reproduction. The cellular mechanisms and action of the GnRH/GnRH receptor system have been clinically applied for the treatment of reproductive disorders and have widely been introduced in ART. New GnRH analogs, such as long-acting GnRH analogs and oral nonpeptide GnRH antagonists, are being continuously developed for clinical application. The identification of the upstream regulators of GnRH, such as kisspeptin and neurokinin B, provides promising potential to develop these upstream regulator-related analogs to control the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Ming Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University School of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsun-Ming Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3V5, Canada
| | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3V5, Canada.
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Abstract
The Tacr3 gene encodes tachykinin receptor 3 (NK3R), which belongs to the tachykinin receptor family. This family of proteins includes typical G protein-coupled receptors and belongs to the rhodopsin subfamily. NK3R functions by binding to its high-affinity ligand, neurokinin B(NKB). The role of Tacr3/NK3R in growth and reproduction has been extensively studied, but Tacr3/NK3R is also widely expressed in the nervous system from the spinal cord to the brain and is involved in both physiological and pathological processes in the nervous system, including mood disorders, chronic pain, learning and memory deficiencies, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, addiction-related processes, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, body fluid management, neural development, and schizophrenia. Here, we summarize the structure of NK3R/NKB and its cellular signaling as well as the expression of Tacr3/NK3R in the nervous system, and we provide a comprehensive summary of the role of Tacr3/NK3R in neurological diseases, including reproduction-related disorders and other neurological diseases. At the end of this review, we propose the hypothesis that Tacr3/NK3R mediates a variety of brain functions by affecting the excitability of different neurons with specific functions. On the basis of this "excited or not" hypothesis, more studies related to Tacr3 should be carried out in other nervous system diseases in order to better understand the biological roles of Tacr3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-wen Zhang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanqing Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Xia Chu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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