title: Expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor in sheep spinal cord.
abstract: Consistent with its neuroendocrine role, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is located principally within the hypothalamus, although extra-hypothalamic expression has been reported. The present study characterized the expression of GnRH and GnRH receptor (GnRH-R) in sheep spinal cord using real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry. Both GnRH and GnRH-R mRNA were detected in sheep spinal cord. Expression of GnRH peptide was localized to discrete locations in the spinal cord, including lamina X (the area surrounding the central canal) and motoneurons in the ventral horn. Although there is no known functional role for GnRH in spinal cord, a role as a potential neurotransmitter/neuromodulator is supported by the expression of both GnRH and GnRH-R in this tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Preclinical Studies, Institute of Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK. s.dolan@vet.gla.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sharron
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: Neil P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Trevor A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Andrea M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nolan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012756:Sheep / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone