Sexual differentiation of kisspeptin neurons responsible for sex difference in gonadotropin release in rats.
The brain mechanism regulating GnRH/luteinizing hormone (LH) release is sexually differentiated in rodents. Estrogen induces a GnRH/LH surge in females but not in males. Kisspeptin neurons in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) have been reported to be sexually dimorphic and suggested to be involved in the GnRH/LH surge generation. Neonatal testicular androgen may cause the reduction of AVPV kisspeptin expression and a lack of LH surge in male rats. Thus, it is plausible that perinatal testicular androgen causes defeminization of the AVPV kisspeptin system, resulting in the loss of the surge system in male rats.
Tsukamura
Hiroko
H
Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan. htsukamura@nagoya-u.jp
Homma
Tamami
T
Tomikawa
Junko
J
Uenoyama
Yoshihisa
Y
Maeda
Kei-ichiro
K
D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000378:metabolism*; D059648:Kisspeptins; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012733:Sex Differentiation
D000728:Androgens; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; C491406:Kiss1 protein, rat; D059648:Kisspeptins; D011506:Proteins