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Dai R, Xu W, Zhu X, Sun R, Cheng L, Cui L, Qiu X, Wang Y, Sun Y. Acupuncture improves neuroendocrine defects in a preclinical rat model of reproductive aging. Life Sci 2024; 357:123102. [PMID: 39366551 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.123102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 09/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/28/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Clinical data supports electroacupuncture (EA) as an effective treatment for female reproductive disorders especially gonadotropin abnormalities. This study aims to detect the mechanism of EA that improves the neuroendocrine defects particularly the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge failure in early reproductive aging females. MATERIALS AND METHODS Middle-aged ovariectomized rats primed with hormone were treated by EA at acupoints CV4 and SP6 and undergone LH assay. Morphological experiments detected the activation of Kiss1 cells in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV). Using targeted liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and RNA-sequencing, we determined the concentrations of neurotransmitter metabolites and transcriptomics in AVPV. KEY FINDINGS EA significantly increased c-Fos and c-Fos-positive Kiss1 cells in the middle-aged AVPV as well as the total and peak LH release. Targeted LC-MS/MS and RNA-sequencing of AVPV identified differential neurotransmitters in the middle-aged females including Acetylcholine chloride, 5-Hydroxyindole-3-aceticacid, Kynurenine, Histamine, L-Histidine and L-Glycine, while EA decreased the concentration of Acetylcholine chloride. Totally 1255 differentially expressed genes modulated by EA were strongly implicated in neurotransmitter transport and KEGG pathways involved neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, glutamatergic and gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated synapse. Specifically, the mRNAs associated with the LH surge such as hormone receptor Pgr, adrenoceptor Adra1a, neurotransmitter transporters Slc17a6 and Slc32a1, glutamate decarboxylase Gad2 and Kiss1 were markedly altered by EA. SIGNIFICANCE These findings showed that the age-related reduction of LH surge occurred via differential neurotransmitter metabolisms and altered transcriptions in AVPV, which proposed EA-based therapy for improving responsiveness of the hypothalamus to hormone in women with advanced age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxi Dai
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200081, China
| | - Wen Xu
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200081, China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhu
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200081, China
| | - Ruiqi Sun
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200081, China
| | - Liyuan Cui
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200081, China
| | - Xuemin Qiu
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200081, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200081, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200081, China; The Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200081, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Disease, Shanghai 200081, China.
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Constantin S, Quignon C, Pizano K, Shostak DM, Wray S. Vasoactive intestinal peptide excites GnRH neurons via KCa3.1, a potential player in the slow afterhyperpolarization current. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1354095. [PMID: 38633445 PMCID: PMC11021707 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1354095] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an important component of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) which relays circadian information to neuronal populations, including GnRH neurons. Human and animal studies have shown an impact of disrupted daily rhythms (chronic shift work, temporal food restriction, clock gene disruption) on both male and female reproduction and fertility. To date, how VIP modulates GnRH neurons remains unknown. Calcium imaging and electrophysiology on primary GnRH neurons in explants and adult mouse brain slice, respectively, were used to address this question. We found VIP excites GnRH neurons via the VIP receptor, VPAC2. The downstream signaling pathway uses both Gs protein/adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A (PKA) and phospholipase C/phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) depletion. Furthermore, we identified a UCL2077-sensitive target, likely contributing to the slow afterhyperpolarization current (IAHP), as the PKA and PIP2 depletion target, and the KCa3.1 channel as a specific target. Thus, VIP/VPAC2 provides an example of Gs protein-coupled receptor-triggered excitation in GnRH neurons, modulating GnRH neurons likely via the slow IAHP. The possible identification of KCa3.1 in the GnRH neuron slow IAHP may provide a new therapeutical target for fertility treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Susan Wray
- Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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3
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Dai R, Huang J, Cui L, Sun R, Qiu X, Wang Y, Sun Y. Gut microbiota and metabolites in estrus cycle and their changes in a menopausal transition rat model with typical neuroendocrine aging. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1282694. [PMID: 38161977 PMCID: PMC10755682 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1282694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neuroendocrine alterations in the mid-life hypothalamus coupled with reproductive decline herald the initiation of menopausal transition. The certain feature and contribution of gut microflora and metabolites to neuroendocrine changes in the menopausal transition remain largely unknown. Methods Fecal samples of rats experiencing different reproductive stages were collected and processed for 16S rRNA and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry sequencing. The differences of gut microbiota and metabolites between young and middle-aged rats during proestrus and diestrus were analyzed, and their relationships to neuroendocrine aging were then examined. Results At the genus level, Anaeroyorax, Rikenella, Tyzzerella_3, and Atopostipes were abundant at proestrus, while Romboutsia, Turicibacter, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group, CHKCI002, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010, Staphylococcus, Family_XII_AD3011_group, Ruminococcaceae UCG-011, and Christensenellaceae_R_7_group were enriched in the diestrus of middle-aged rats. DNF00809, Phocea, and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006 were found abundant during proestrus instead, while Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Erysipelatoclostridium, Anaeroplasma, Anaerofustis, Parasutterella, and Enterococcus were enriched at the diestrus of young female individuals. Discriminatory metabolites were identified involving 90 metabolic pathways among the animal sets, which were enriched for steroid hormone biosynthesis, arachidonic metabolism, primary bile acid synthesis, and ovarian steroidogenesis. A total of 21 metabolites lacking in hormone-associated changes in middle-aged female individuals presented positive or negative correlations with the circulating luteinizing hormone, bile acid, fibroblast growth factor 19, and gut hormones. Moreover, close correlations were detected between the intestinal bacteria and their metabolites. Conclusion This study documents specific gut microbial composition changes and concomitant shifting trends of metabolites during menopausal transition, which may initiate the gut-brain dysfunction in neuroendocrine aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxi Dai
- Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianqin Huang
- Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- The Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Disease, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liyuan Cui
- Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruiqi Sun
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xuemin Qiu
- Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- The Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Disease, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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4
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Piet R. Circadian and kisspeptin regulation of the preovulatory surge. Peptides 2023; 163:170981. [PMID: 36842628 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.170981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
Fertility in mammals is ultimately controlled by a small population of neurons - the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons - located in the ventral forebrain. GnRH neurons control gonadal function through the release of GnRH, which in turn stimulates the secretion of the anterior pituitary gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In spontaneous ovulators, ovarian follicle maturation eventually stimulates, via sex steroid feedback, the mid-cycle surge in GnRH and LH secretion that causes ovulation. The GnRH/LH surge is initiated in many species just before the onset of activity through processes controlled by the central circadian clock, ensuring that the neuroendocrine control of ovulation and sex behavior are coordinated. This review aims to give an overview of anatomical and functional studies that collectively reveal some of the mechanisms through which the central circadian clock regulates GnRH neurons and their afferent circuits to drive the preovulatory surge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Piet
- Brain Health Research Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States.
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5
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Moeller JS, Bever SR, Finn SL, Phumsatitpong C, Browne MF, Kriegsfeld LJ. Circadian Regulation of Hormonal Timing and the Pathophysiology of Circadian Dysregulation. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:4185-4214. [PMID: 36073751 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c220018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are endogenously generated, daily patterns of behavior and physiology that are essential for optimal health and disease prevention. Disruptions to circadian timing are associated with a host of maladies, including metabolic disease and obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and mental health disturbances. The circadian timing system is hierarchically organized, with a master circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the anterior hypothalamus and subordinate clocks throughout the CNS and periphery. The SCN receives light information via a direct retinal pathway, synchronizing the master clock to environmental time. At the cellular level, circadian rhythms are ubiquitous, with rhythms generated by interlocking, autoregulatory transcription-translation feedback loops. At the level of the SCN, tight cellular coupling maintains rhythms even in the absence of environmental input. The SCN, in turn, communicates timing information via the autonomic nervous system and hormonal signaling. This signaling couples individual cellular oscillators at the tissue level in extra-SCN brain loci and the periphery and synchronizes subordinate clocks to external time. In the modern world, circadian disruption is widespread due to limited exposure to sunlight during the day, exposure to artificial light at night, and widespread use of light-emitting electronic devices, likely contributing to an increase in the prevalence, and the progression, of a host of disease states. The present overview focuses on the circadian control of endocrine secretions, the significance of rhythms within key endocrine axes for typical, homeostatic functioning, and implications for health and disease when dysregulated. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12: 1-30, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob S Moeller
- Graduate Group in Endocrinology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Savannah R Bever
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Samantha L Finn
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | | | - Madison F Browne
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Lance J Kriegsfeld
- Graduate Group in Endocrinology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.,The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
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6
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Tanaka S, Zmora N, Levavi-Sivan B, Zohar Y. Chemogenetic Depletion of Hypophysiotropic GnRH Neurons Does Not Affect Fertility in Mature Female Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105596. [PMID: 35628411 PMCID: PMC9143870 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypophysiotropic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its neurons are crucial for vertebrate reproduction, primarily in regulating luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and ovulation. However, in zebrafish, which lack GnRH1, and instead possess GnRH3 as the hypophysiotropic form, GnRH3 gene knockout did not affect reproduction. However, early-stage ablation of all GnRH3 neurons causes infertility in females, implicating GnRH3 neurons, rather than GnRH3 peptides in female reproduction. To determine the role of GnRH3 neurons in the reproduction of adult females, a Tg(gnrh3:Gal4ff; UAS:nfsb-mCherry) line was generated to facilitate a chemogenetic conditional ablation of GnRH3 neurons. Following ablation, there was a reduction of preoptic area GnRH3 neurons by an average of 85.3%, which was associated with reduced pituitary projections and gnrh3 mRNA levels. However, plasma LH levels were unaffected, and the ablated females displayed normal reproductive capacity. There was no correlation between the number of remaining GnRH3 neurons and reproductive performance. Though it is possible that the few remaining GnRH3 neurons can still induce an LH surge, our findings are consistent with the idea that GnRH and its neurons are likely dispensable for LH surge in zebrafish. Altogether, our results resurrected questions regarding the functional homology of the hypophysiotropic GnRH1 and GnRH3 in controlling ovulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakura Tanaka
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA; (S.T.); (N.Z.)
| | - Nilli Zmora
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA; (S.T.); (N.Z.)
| | - Berta Levavi-Sivan
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
| | - Yonathan Zohar
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA; (S.T.); (N.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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7
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Mansano NDS, Paradela RS, Bohlen TM, Zanardi IM, Chaves FM, Silveira MA, Tavares MR, Donato J, Frazao R. Vasoactive intestinal peptide exerts an excitatory effect on hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons during estrogen negative feedback. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 542:111532. [PMID: 34915098 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons are the primary modulators of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. It has been shown that circadian rhythms driven by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) contribute to GnRH secretion. Kisspeptin neurons are potential targets of SCN neurons due to reciprocal connections with the anteroventral periventricular and rostral periventricular nuclei (AVPV/PeN) and the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH). Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a notable SCN neurotransmitter, modulates GnRH secretion depending on serum estradiol levels, aging or time of the day. Considering that kisspeptin neurons may act as interneurons and mediate VIP's effects on the reproductive axis, we investigated the effects of VIP on hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons in female mice during estrogen negative feedback. Our findings indicate that VIP induces a TTX-independent depolarization of approximately 30% of AVPV/PeN kisspeptin neurons in gonad-intact (diestrus) and ovariectomized (OVX) mice. In the ARH, the percentage of kisspeptin neurons that were depolarized by VIP was even higher (approximately 90%). An intracerebroventricular infusion of VIP leds to an increased percentage of kisspeptin neurons expressing the phosphoSer133 cAMP-response-element-binding protein (pCREB) in the AVPV/PeN. On the other hand, pCREB expression in ARH kisspeptin neurons was similar between saline- and VIP-injected mice. Thus, VIP can recruit different signaling pathways to modulate AVPV/PeN or ARH kisspeptin neurons, resulting in distinct cellular responses. The expression of VIP receptors (VPACR) was upregulated in the AVPV/PeN, but not in the ARH, of OVX mice compared to mice on diestrus and estradiol-primed OVX mice. Our findings indicate that VIP directly influences distinct cellular aspects of the AVPV/PeN and ARH kisspeptin neurons during estrogen negative feedback, possibly to influence pulsatile LH secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naira da Silva Mansano
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Regina Silva Paradela
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Tabata M Bohlen
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Izabela M Zanardi
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Machado Chaves
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marina Augusto Silveira
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Rosolen Tavares
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jose Donato
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Renata Frazao
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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8
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Tanaka S, Zmora N, Levavi-Sivan B, Zohar Y. Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Indirectly Elicits Pituitary LH Secretion Independent of GnRH in Female Zebrafish. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6492622. [PMID: 34978328 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (Vip) regulates luteinizing hormone (LH) release through the direct regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons at the level of the brain in female rodents. However, little is known regarding the roles of Vip in teleost reproduction. Although GnRH is critical for fertility through the regulation of LH secretion in vertebrates, the exact role of the hypophysiotropic GnRH (GnRH3) in zebrafish is unclear since GnRH3 null fish are reproductively fertile. This phenomenon raises the possibility of a redundant regulatory pathway(s) for LH secretion in zebrafish. Here, we demonstrate that VipA (homologues of mammalian Vip) both inhibits and induces LH secretion in zebrafish. Despite the observation that VipA axons may reach the pituitary proximal pars distalis including LH cells, pituitary incubation with VipA in vitro, and intraperitoneal injection of VipA, did not induce LH secretion and lhβ mRNA expression in sexually mature females, respectively. On the other hand, intracerebroventricular administration of VipA augmented plasma LH levels in both wild-type and gnrh3-/- females at 1 hour posttreatment, with no observed changes in pituitary GnRH2 and GnRH3 contents and gnrh3 mRNA levels in the brains. While VipA's manner of inhibition of LH secretion has yet to be explored, the stimulation seems to occur via a different pathway than GnRH3, dopamine, and 17β-estradiol in regulating LH secretion. The results indicate that VipA induces LH release possibly by acting with or through a non-GnRH factor(s), providing proof for the existence of functional redundancy of LH release in sexually mature female zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakura Tanaka
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, Department of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
| | - Nilli Zmora
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, Department of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
| | - Berta Levavi-Sivan
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 76100, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yonathan Zohar
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, Department of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
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9
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Dai R, Xu W, Chen W, Cui L, Li L, Zhou J, Jin X, Wang Y, Wang L, Sun Y. Epigenetic modification of <i>Kiss1</i> gene expression in the AVPV is essential for female reproductive aging. Biosci Trends 2022; 16:346-358. [DOI: 10.5582/bst.2022.01358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxi Dai
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Xu
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liyuan Cui
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lisha Li
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueling Jin
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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10
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Schmid T, Boehm U, Braun T. GnRH neurogenesis depends on embryonic pheromone receptor expression. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:111030. [PMID: 32931849 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.111030] [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: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons control mammalian reproduction and migrate from their birthplace in the nasal placode to the hypothalamus during development. Despite much work on the origin and migration of GnRH neurons, the processes that control GnRH lineage formation are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that Nhlh genes control vomeronasal receptor expression in the developing murine olfactory placode associated with the generation of the first GnRH neurons at embryonic days (E)10-12. Inactivation of ß2-microglobulin (ß2-m), which selectively affects surface expression of V2Rs, dramatically decreased the number of GnRH neurons in the Nhlh2 mutant background, preventing rescue of fertility in female Nhlh2 mutant mice by male pheromones. In addition, we show that GnRH neurons generated after E12 fail to establish synaptic connections to the vomeronasal amygdala, suggesting the existence of functionally specialized subpopulations of GnRH neurons, which process pheromonal information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schmid
- Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Ludwigstr. 43, Germany
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Braun
- Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Ludwigstr. 43, Germany; Instituto de Investigacion en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA)-CONICET- Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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11
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Xu W, Huang J, Li L, Zhang X, Wang Y, Tong G, Sun Y. Alterations of estradiol-induced histone H3 acetylation in the preoptic area and anteroventral periventricular nucleus of middle-aged female rats. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 516:894-899. [PMID: 31272713 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.06.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study we investigated the characteristics of histone H3 acetylation in the anterior hypothalamus under E2 positive feedback to gain a better understanding of the mechanism underlying reduced GnRH neuron activation and altered gene expression in female reproductive aging. Young and middle-aged female rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and treated with estradiol (E2) or oil. C-Fos expression, the number of GnRH neurons co-localized with c-Fos in the preoptic area (POA), and the number of acetylated histone H3 cells in the POA and anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) were quantified at the time of the expected GnRH neuron activation. We used real-time PCR to evaluate the expression of Esr1 target genes including Kiss1 and VGluT2 and genes known as Esr1 coregulators in the anterior hypothalamus. Our results show that in the young females, E2 markedly increased histone H3 acetylation in the POA and AVPV, coincident with increased c-Fos and GnRH neuron activation in the POA. In middle-aged females, E2-induced histone H3 acetylation was reduced in the POA but was not significantly altered in the AVPV. This occurred in association with a reduction of c-Fos expression and the number of GnRH cells expressing c-Fos in the POA as well as a down-regulation of Kiss1 and VGluT2 mRNA expression in the anterior hypothalamus of the animals. E2 caused significant decreases in Ncoa2 and Crebbp mRNA expression in the anterior hypothalamus of young, but not middle-aged females. Taken together, these data suggest that alterations of histone H3 acetylation in the POA and AVPV and the inability of Ncoa2 and Crebbp to respond to E2 in the middle-aged anterior hypothalamus partially contribute to the decline of GnRH neuron activation and E2 target gene expression changes that occur in female along with reproductive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Xu
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jianqin Huang
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China; The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Lisha Li
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Xinyan Zhang
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Guoqing Tong
- Reproduction Center, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Yan Sun
- Hospital & Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China; The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Disease, Shanghai, 200011, China.
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12
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Xu W, An X, Zhang N, Li L, Zhang X, Wang Y, Wang L, Sun Y. Middle-aged female rats lack changes in histone H3 acetylation in the anterior hypothalamus observed in young females on the day of a luteinizing hormone surge. Biosci Trends 2019; 13:334-341. [PMID: 31434815 DOI: 10.5582/bst.2019.01162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Histone acetylation has recently been implicated in gene transcription and estradiol (E2) actions in the hypothalamus. This study aims to determine the involvement of histone acetylation in mediating E2-induced luteinizing hormone (LH) surge to understand the mechanism underlying LH surge dysfunction in female reproductive aging. Young and middle-aged female rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and treated with hormone or oil once per day for two days. At the time of the expected LH surge, blood samples were taken for LH assay. The anterior and posterior hypothalami were dissected, histone H3/H4 acetylation and histone deacetylases (HDACs) 4, -5, -10 and -11 protein expressions were measured using Western blotting. Our results show that in the young females, E2 markedly increased histone H3 acetylation while significantly reducing HDAC10 protein expression in the anterior hypothalamus. Notably, E2-induced alterations of histone H3 acetylation and HDAC10 in the anterior hypothalamus were absent in middle-aged females, associated with a reduced LH release. However, age alters histone H4 acetylation in both the anterior and posterior hypothalamus and significantly increased HDAC 4 and -5 protein expression in the anterior hypothalamus. Taken together, these data suggest that histone H3 acetylation in the anterior hypothalamus may mediate E2 regulation of LH surge and the process possibly through decreasing HDAC10. The missed responsiveness of histone H3 acetylation and HDAC10 expression to E2 in the anterior hypothalamus may contribute to LH surge failure that occurs in female reproductive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Xu
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University
| | - Xiaofei An
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Na Zhang
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Disease
| | - Lisha Li
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Disease
| | - Xinyan Zhang
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Disease
| | - Yan Wang
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Disease
| | - Ling Wang
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Disease.,The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University
| | - Yan Sun
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Disease.,The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University
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13
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Duncan MJ. Interacting influences of aging and Alzheimer's disease on circadian rhythms. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 51:310-325. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn J. Duncan
- Department of NeuroscienceUniversity of Kentucky Medical School Lexington Kentucky
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14
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Abstract
Female ovulation depends on a surge in circulating luteinizing hormone (LH) which occurs at the end of the resting period and requests high circulating estradiol. This fine tuning involves both an estradiol feedback as an indicator of oocyte maturation, and the master circadian clock of the suprachiasmatic nuclei as an indicator of the time of the day. This review describes the mechanisms through which daily time cues are conveyed to reproductive hypothalamic neurons to time the pre-ovulatory surge. In female rodents, neurotransmitters released by the suprachiasmatic nuclei activate the stimulatory kisspeptin neurons and reduce the inhibitory RFRP neurons precisely at the end of the afternoon of proestrus to allow a full surge in LH secretion. From these findings, the impact of circadian disruptions (during shift or night work) on female reproductive performance and fertility should now being investigated in both animal models and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Simonneaux
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, UPR CNRS 3212, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, 67084 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Thibault Bahougne
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, UPR CNRS 3212, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, 67084 Strasbourg, France; Service d'Endocrinologie et Diabète, Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Eleni Angelopoulou
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, UPR CNRS 3212, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, 67084 Strasbourg, France; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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15
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Piet R, Dunckley H, Lee K, Herbison AE. Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Excites GnRH Neurons in Male and Female Mice. Endocrinology 2016; 157:3621-30. [PMID: 27501185 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A variety of external and internal factors modulate the activity of GnRH neurons to control fertility in mammals. A direct, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-mediated input to GnRH neurons originating from the suprachiasmatic nucleus is thought to relay circadian information within this network. In the present study, we examined the effects of VIP on GnRH neuron activity in male and female mice at different stages of the estrous cycle. We carried out cell-attached recordings in slices from GnRH-green fluorescent protein mice and calcium imaging in slices from a mouse line expressing the genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP3 selectively in GnRH neurons. We show that 50%-80% of GnRH neurons increase their firing rate in response to bath-applied VIP (1nM-1000nM) in both male and female mice and that this is accompanied by a robust increase in intracellular calcium concentrations. This effect is mediated directly at the GnRH neuron likely through activation of high-affinity VIP receptors. Because suprachiasmatic nucleus-derived timing cues trigger the preovulatory surge only on the afternoon of proestrus in female mice, we examined the effects of VIP during the estrous cycle at different times of day. VIP responsiveness in GnRH neurons did not vary significantly in diestrous and proestrous mice before or around the time of the expected preovulatory surge. These results indicate that the majority of GnRH neurons in male and female mice express functional VIP receptors and that the effects of VIP on GnRH neurons do not alter across the estrous cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Piet
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Physiology, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Henry Dunckley
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Physiology, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Kiho Lee
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Physiology, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Allan E Herbison
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Physiology, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand
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16
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Russo KA, La JL, Stephens SBZ, Poling MC, Padgaonkar NA, Jennings KJ, Piekarski DJ, Kauffman AS, Kriegsfeld LJ. Circadian Control of the Female Reproductive Axis Through Gated Responsiveness of the RFRP-3 System to VIP Signaling. Endocrinology 2015; 156:2608-18. [PMID: 25872006 PMCID: PMC4475714 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Throughout most of the ovulatory cycle, estrogen negative feedback restrains the GnRH neuronal system. Just before ovulation, however, estrogen negative feedback is removed to permit stimulation of the preovulatory GnRH/LH surge (positive feedback) by the circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The mammalian ortholog of avian gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone, RFamide-related peptide 3 (RFRP-3), participates in the circadian-timed removal of estrogen negative feedback to permit the LH surge. The present study examined the specific neurochemical means by which the SCN controls RFRP-3 activity and explored whether the RFRP-3 system exhibits time-dependent responsiveness to SCN signaling to precisely time the LH surge. We found that RFRP-3 cells in female Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) receive close appositions from SCN-derived vasopressin-ergic and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-ergic terminal fibers. Central VIP administration markedly suppressed RFRP-3 cellular activity in the evening, but not the morning, relative to saline controls, whereas vasopressin was without effect at either time point. Double-label in situ hybridization for Rfrp-3 and the VIP receptors VPAC1 and VPAC2 revealed that the majority of RFRP-3 cells do not coexpress either receptor in Syrian hamsters or mice, suggesting that SCN VIP-ergic signaling inhibits RFRP-3 cells indirectly. The timing of this VIP-mediated disinhibition is further coordinated via temporally gated responsiveness of RFRP-3 cells to circadian signaling. Together, these findings reveal a novel circadian hierarchy of control coordinating the preovulatory LH surge and ovulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Russo
- Department of Psychology (K.A.R., J.L.L., N.A.P., K.J.J., D.J.P., L.J.K.) and The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (L.J.K.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720; and Department of Reproductive Medicine (S.B.Z.S., M.C.P., A.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Janet L La
- Department of Psychology (K.A.R., J.L.L., N.A.P., K.J.J., D.J.P., L.J.K.) and The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (L.J.K.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720; and Department of Reproductive Medicine (S.B.Z.S., M.C.P., A.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Shannon B Z Stephens
- Department of Psychology (K.A.R., J.L.L., N.A.P., K.J.J., D.J.P., L.J.K.) and The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (L.J.K.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720; and Department of Reproductive Medicine (S.B.Z.S., M.C.P., A.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Matthew C Poling
- Department of Psychology (K.A.R., J.L.L., N.A.P., K.J.J., D.J.P., L.J.K.) and The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (L.J.K.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720; and Department of Reproductive Medicine (S.B.Z.S., M.C.P., A.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Namita A Padgaonkar
- Department of Psychology (K.A.R., J.L.L., N.A.P., K.J.J., D.J.P., L.J.K.) and The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (L.J.K.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720; and Department of Reproductive Medicine (S.B.Z.S., M.C.P., A.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Kimberly J Jennings
- Department of Psychology (K.A.R., J.L.L., N.A.P., K.J.J., D.J.P., L.J.K.) and The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (L.J.K.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720; and Department of Reproductive Medicine (S.B.Z.S., M.C.P., A.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - David J Piekarski
- Department of Psychology (K.A.R., J.L.L., N.A.P., K.J.J., D.J.P., L.J.K.) and The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (L.J.K.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720; and Department of Reproductive Medicine (S.B.Z.S., M.C.P., A.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Alexander S Kauffman
- Department of Psychology (K.A.R., J.L.L., N.A.P., K.J.J., D.J.P., L.J.K.) and The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (L.J.K.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720; and Department of Reproductive Medicine (S.B.Z.S., M.C.P., A.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Lance J Kriegsfeld
- Department of Psychology (K.A.R., J.L.L., N.A.P., K.J.J., D.J.P., L.J.K.) and The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (L.J.K.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720; and Department of Reproductive Medicine (S.B.Z.S., M.C.P., A.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
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17
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Simonneaux V, Bahougne T. A Multi-Oscillatory Circadian System Times Female Reproduction. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2015; 6:157. [PMID: 26539161 PMCID: PMC4611855 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2015.00157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhythms in female reproduction are critical to insure that timing of ovulation coincides with oocyte maturation and optimal sexual arousal. This fine tuning of female reproduction involves both the estradiol feedback as an indicator of oocyte maturation, and the master circadian clock of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) as an indicator of the time of the day. Herein, we are providing an overview of the state of knowledge regarding the differential inhibitory and stimulatory effects of estradiol at different stages of the reproductive axis, and the mechanisms through which the two main neurotransmitters of the SCN, arginine vasopressin, and vasoactive intestinal peptide, convey daily time cues to the reproductive axis. In addition, we will report the most recent findings on the putative functions of peripheral clocks located throughout the reproductive axis [kisspeptin (Kp) neurons, gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons, gonadotropic cells, the ovary, and the uterus]. This review will point to the critical position of the Kp neurons of the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, which integrate both the stimulatory estradiol signal, and the daily arginine vasopressinergic signal, while displaying a circadian clock. Finally, given the critical role of the light/dark cycle in the synchronization of female reproduction, we will discuss the impact of circadian disruptions observed during shift-work conditions on female reproductive performance and fertility in both animal model and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Simonneaux
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS (UPR 3212), Strasbourg, France
- *Correspondence: Valérie Simonneaux, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS (UPR 3212), 5 rue Blaise Pascal, Strasbourg 67084, France,
| | - Thibault Bahougne
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS (UPR 3212), Strasbourg, France
- Service d’Endocrinologie et Diabète, Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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18
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Loh DH, Kuljis DA, Azuma L, Wu Y, Truong D, Wang HB, Colwell CS. Disrupted reproduction, estrous cycle, and circadian rhythms in female mice deficient in vasoactive intestinal peptide. J Biol Rhythms 2014; 29:355-69. [PMID: 25252712 DOI: 10.1177/0748730414549767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The female reproductive cycle is gated by the circadian timing system and may be vulnerable to disruptions in the circadian system. Prior work suggests that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-expressing neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) are one pathway by which the circadian clock can influence the estrous cycle, but the impact of the loss of this peptide on reproduction has not been assessed. In the present study, we first examine the impact of the genetic loss of the neuropeptide VIP on the reproductive success of female mice. Significantly, mutant females produce about half the offspring of their wild-type sisters even when mated to the same males. We also find that VIP-deficient females exhibit a disrupted estrous cycle; that is, ovulation occurs less frequently and results in the release of fewer oocytes compared with controls. Circadian rhythms of wheel-running activity are disrupted in the female mutant mice, as is the spontaneous electrical activity of dorsal SCN neurons. On a molecular level, the VIP-deficient SCN tissue exhibits lower amplitude oscillations with altered phase relationships between the SCN and peripheral oscillators as measured by PER2-driven bioluminescence. The simplest explanation of our data is that the loss of VIP results in a weakened SCN oscillator, which reduces the synchronization of the female circadian system. These results clarify one of the mechanisms by which disruption of the circadian system reduces female reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- D H Loh
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, California
| | - D A Kuljis
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, California Department of Neurobiology, University of California-Los Angeles
| | - L Azuma
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, California
| | - Y Wu
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, California
| | - D Truong
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, California
| | - H B Wang
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, California
| | - C S Colwell
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, California
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Kauffman AS, Sun Y, Kim J, Khan AR, Shu J, Neal-Perry G. Vasoactive intestinal peptide modulation of the steroid-induced LH surge involves kisspeptin signaling in young but not in middle-aged female rats. Endocrinology 2014; 155:2222-32. [PMID: 24654782 PMCID: PMC4020928 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-1793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Age-related LH surge dysfunction in middle-aged rats is characterized, in part, by reduced responsiveness to estradiol (E2)-positive feedback and reduced hypothalamic kisspeptin neurotransmission. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus project to hypothalamic regions that house kisspeptin neurons. Additionally, middle-age females express less VIP mRNA in the suprachiasmatic nucleus on the day of the LH surge and intracerebroventricular (icv) VIP infusion restores LH surges. We tested the hypothesis that icv infusion of VIP modulates the LH surge through effects on the kisspeptin and RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3; an estradiol-regulated inhibitor of GnRH neurons) neurotransmitter systems. Brains were collected for in situ hybridization analyses from ovariectomized and ovarian hormone-primed young and middle-aged females infused with VIP or saline. The percentage of GnRH and Kiss1 cells coexpressing cfos and total Kiss1 mRNA were reduced in saline-infused middle-aged compared with young females. In young females, VIP reduced the percentage of GnRH and Kiss1 cells coexpressing cfos, suggesting that increased VIP signaling in young females adversely affected the function of Kiss1 and GnRH neurons. In middle-aged females, VIP increased the percentage of GnRH but not Kiss1 neurons coexpressing cfos, suggesting VIP affects LH release in middle-aged females through kisspeptin-independent effects on GnRH neurons. Neither reproductive age nor VIP affected Rfrp cell number, Rfrp mRNA levels per cell, or coexpression of cfos in Rfrp cells. These data suggest that VIP differentially affects activation of GnRH and kisspeptin neurons of female rats in an age-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander S Kauffman
- Department of Reproductive Medicine (A.S.K., J.K., A.R.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California; Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Women's Health (Y.S., J.S., G.N.-P., Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; and Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience (G.N.-P.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
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20
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Soga T, Kitahashi T, Clarke IJ, Parhar IS. Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone promoter-driven enhanced green fluorescent protein expression decreases during aging in female rats. Endocrinology 2014; 155:1944-55. [PMID: 24605826 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-1786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) neurons project to GnRH neurons to negatively regulate reproductive function. To fully explore the projections of the GnIH neurons, we created transgenic rats carrying an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) tagged to the GnIH promoter. With these animals, we show that EGFP-GnIH neurons are localized mainly in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMN) and project to the hypothalamus, telencephalon, and diencephalic thalamus, which parallels and confirms immunocytochemical and gene expression studies. We observed an age-related reduction in c-Fos-positive GnIH cell numbers in female rats. Furthermore, GnIH fiber appositions to GnRH neurons in the preoptic area were lessened in middle-aged females (70 weeks old) compared with their younger counterparts (9-12 weeks old). The fiber density in other brain areas was also reduced in middle-aged female rats. The expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors mRNA in subsets of EGFP-GnIH neurons was shown in laser-dissected single EGFP-GnIH neurons. We then examined estradiol-17β and progesterone regulation of GnIH neurons, using c-Fos presence as a marker. Estradiol-17β treatment reduced c-Fos labeling in EGFP-GnIH neurons in the DMN of young ovariectomized adult females but had no effect in middle-aged females. Progesterone had no effect on the number of GnIH cells positive for c-Fos. We conclude that there is an age-related decline in GnIH neuron number and GnIH inputs to GnRH neurons. We also conclude that the response of GnIH neurons to estrogen diminishes with reproductive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Soga
- Brain Research Institute (T.S., T.K., I.S.P.), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Sunway, PJ 46150, Malaysia; and Department of Physiology (I.J.C.), Monash University, Victoria 3880, Australia
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21
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Miller BH, Takahashi JS. Central circadian control of female reproductive function. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 4:195. [PMID: 24478756 PMCID: PMC3898595 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2013.00195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, it has become clear just how much of our physiology is under the control of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and the cell-intrinsic molecular clock that ticks with a periodicity of approximately 24 h. The SCN prepares our digestive system for meals, our adrenal axis for the stress of waking up in the morning, and the genes expressed in our muscles when we prepare to exercise. Long before molecular studies of genes such as Clock, Bmal1, and the Per homologs were possible, it was obvious that female reproductive function was under strict circadian control at every level of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and in the establishment and successful maintenance of pregnancy. This review highlights our current understanding of the role that the SCN plays in regulating female reproductive physiology, with a special emphasis on the advances made possible through the use of circadian mutant mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke H Miller
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, FL , USA
| | - Joseph S Takahashi
- Department of Neuroscience, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, TX , USA
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22
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Urbanski HF. Introduction to special topic-estrogenic control of hypothalamic GnRH neurons. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2012; 3:137. [PMID: 23162537 PMCID: PMC3498830 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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