|
1
|
Bao Q, Gu W, Song L, Weng K, Cao Z, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Ji T, Xu Q, Chen G. The Photoperiod-Driven Cyclical Secretion of Pineal Melatonin Regulates Seasonal Reproduction in Geese ( Anser cygnoides). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11998. [PMID: 37569373 PMCID: PMC10419153 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The photoperiod is the predominant environmental factor that governs seasonal reproduction in animals; however, the underlying molecular regulatory mechanism has yet to be fully elucidated. Herein, Yangzhou geese (Anser cygnoides) were selected at the spring equinox (SE), summer solstice (SS), autumn equinox (AE), and winter solstice (WS), and the regulation of seasonal reproduction via the light-driven cyclical secretion of pineal melatonin was investigated. We show that there were seasonal variations in the laying rate and GSI, while the ovarian area decreased 1.5-fold from the SS to the AE. Moreover, not only did the weight and volume of the pineal gland increase with a shortened photoperiod, but the secretory activity was also enhanced. Notably, tissue distribution further revealed seasonal oscillations in melatonin receptors (Mtnrs) in the pineal gland and the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. The immunohistochemical staining indicated higher Mtnr levels due to the shortened photoperiod. Furthermore, the upregulation of aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (Aanat) was observed from the SS to the AE, concurrently resulting in a downregulation of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotropins (GtHs). This trend was also evident in the secretion of hormones. These data indicate that melatonin secretion during specific seasons is indicative of alterations in the photoperiod, thereby allowing for insight into the neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction via an intrinsic molecular depiction of external photoperiodic variations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Bao
- Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Poultry Genetic Resources of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Q.B.); (W.G.); (L.S.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.J.)
| | - Wang Gu
- Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Poultry Genetic Resources of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Q.B.); (W.G.); (L.S.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.J.)
| | - Lina Song
- Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Poultry Genetic Resources of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Q.B.); (W.G.); (L.S.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.J.)
| | - Kaiqi Weng
- Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Poultry Genetic Resources of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Q.B.); (W.G.); (L.S.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.J.)
| | - Zhengfeng Cao
- Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Poultry Genetic Resources of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Q.B.); (W.G.); (L.S.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.J.)
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Poultry Genetic Resources of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Q.B.); (W.G.); (L.S.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.J.)
| | - Yang Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Poultry Genetic Resources of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Q.B.); (W.G.); (L.S.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.J.)
| | - Ting Ji
- Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Poultry Genetic Resources of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Q.B.); (W.G.); (L.S.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.J.)
| | - Qi Xu
- Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Poultry Genetic Resources of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Q.B.); (W.G.); (L.S.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.J.)
| | - Guohong Chen
- Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Poultry Genetic Resources of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Q.B.); (W.G.); (L.S.); (K.W.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.J.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Clarke IJ, Arbabi L. New concepts of the central control of reproduction, integrating influence of stress, metabolic state, and season. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2016; 56 Suppl:S165-79. [PMID: 27345314 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotropin releasing hormone is the primary driver of reproductive function and pulsatile GnRH secretion from the brain causes the synthesis and secretion of LH and FSH from the pituitary gland. Recent work has revealed that the secretion of GnRH is controlled at the level of the GnRH secretory terminals in the median eminence. At this level, projections of kisspeptin cells from the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus are seen to be closely associated with fibers and terminals of GnRH cells. Direct application of kisspeptin into the median eminence causes release of GnRH. The kisspeptin cells are activated at the time of a natural "pulse" secretion of GnRH, as reflected in the secretion of LH. This appears to be due to input to the kisspeptin cells from glutamatergic cells in the basal hypothalamus, indicating that more than 1 neural element is involved in the secretion of GnRH. Because the GnRH secretory terminals are outside the blood-brain barrier, factors such as kisspeptin may be administered systemically to cause GnRH secretion; this offers opportunities for manipulation of the reproductive axis using factors that do not cross the blood-brain barrier. In particular, kisspeptin or analogs of the same may be used to activate reproduction in the nonbreeding season of domestic animals. Another brain peptide that influences reproductive function is gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH). Work in sheep shows that this peptide acts on GnRH neuronal perikarya, but projections to the median eminence also allow secretion into the hypophysial portal blood and action of GnIH on pituitary gonadotropes. GnIH cells are upregulated in anestrus, and infusion of GnIH can block the ovulatory surge in GnRH and/or LH secretion. Metabolic status may also affect the secretion of reproduction, and this could involve action of gut peptides and leptin. Neuropeptide Y and Y-receptor ligands have a negative impact on reproduction, and Neuropeptide Y production is markedly increased in negative energy balance; this may be the cause of lowered GnRH and gonadotropin secretion in this state. There is a complex interaction between appetite-regulating peptide neurons and kisspeptin neurons that enables the former to regulate the latter both positively and negatively. In terms of how GnRH secretion is reduced during stress, recent data indicate that GnIH cells are integrally involved, with increased input to the GnRH cells. The secretion of GnIH into the portal blood is not increased during stress, so the negative effect is most likely effected at the level of GnRH neuronal cell bodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I J Clarke
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - L Arbabi
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Clarke IJ. Interface between metabolic balance and reproduction in ruminants: focus on the hypothalamus and pituitary. Horm Behav 2014; 66:15-40. [PMID: 24568750 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Energy Balance". The interface between metabolic regulators and the reproductive system is reviewed with special reference to the sheep. Even though sheep are ruminants with particular metabolic characteristics, there is a broad consensus across species in the way that the reproductive system is influenced by metabolic state. An update on the neuroendocrinology of reproduction indicates the need to account for the way that kisspeptin provides major drive to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons and also mediates the feedback effects of gonadal steroids. The way that kisspeptin function is influenced by appetite regulating peptides (ARP) is considered. Another newly recognised factor is gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH), which has a dual function in that it suppresses reproductive function whilst also acting as an orexigen. Our understanding of the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure has expanded exponentially in the last 3 decades and historical perspective is provided. The function of the regulatory factors and the hypothalamic cellular systems involved is reviewed with special reference to the sheep. Less is known of these systems in the cow, especially the dairy cow, in which a major fertility issue has emerged in parallel with selection for increased milk production. Other endocrine systems--the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, the growth hormone (GH) axis and the thyroid hormones--are influenced by metabolic state and are relevant to the interface between metabolic function and reproduction. Special consideration is given to issues such as season and lactation, where the relationship between metabolic hormones and reproductive function is altered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iain J Clarke
- Monash University, Department of Physiology, Wellington Road, Clayton 3168, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|