title: Function-related structural plasticity of the GnRH system: a role for neuronal-glial-endothelial interactions.
abstract: As the final common pathway for the central control of gonadotropin secretion, GnRH neurons are subjected to numerous regulatory homeostatic and external factors to achieve levels of fertility appropriate to the organism. The GnRH system thus provides an excellent model in which to investigate the complex relationships between neurosecretion, morphological plasticity and the expression of a physiological function. Throughout the reproductive cycle beginning from postnatal sexual development and the onset of puberty to reproductive senescence, and even within the ovarian cycle itself, all levels of the GnRH system undergo morphological plasticity. This structural plasticity within the GnRH system appears crucial to the timely control of reproductive competence within the individual, and as such must have coordinated actions of multiple signals secreted from glial cells, endothelial cells, and GnRH neurons. Thus, the GnRH system must be viewed as a complete neuro-glial-vascular unit that works in concert to maintain the reproductive axis.
authors.affiliation: Inserm, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center, U837, Development and Plasticity of the Postnatal Brain, F-59000 Lille, France. vincent.prevot@inserm.fr
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Prevot
authors.forename: Naresh K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Hanchate
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bellefontaine
authors.forename: Ariane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.forename: Jyoti
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parkash
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Estrella
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Allet
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Seranno
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campagne
authors.forename: Xavier d'Anglemont
authors.initials: Xd
authors.lastname: de Tassigny
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baroncini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011627:Puberty / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone