title: Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone is a hypothalamic peptide that provides a molecular switch between reproduction and feeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH)-3 is a neuropeptide that plays a major role in the regulation of reproduction and feeding in mammals.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured endocrine and behavioural parameters of reproduction in sheep, and sexual behaviour in sheep, mice and cynomolgus monkeys. In addition, GnIH gene expression (in situ hybridization) was examined in ewes, and effects of GnIH-3 on food intake and energy expenditure were measured in various species. GnIH-3 was infused (i.v.) into ewes after an i.m. injection of estradiol benzoate to determine whether the peptide blocks the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GnIH gene expression was reduced in the preovulatory period in ewes. Infusion (i.v.) of GnIH-3 blocked the estrogen-induced LH surge (in ewes). Intracerebroventricular infusion had no effect on female or male sexual behaviour in each of the three species, but increased food intake. There were no effects on energy expenditure in sheep or rats. GnIH increased fos protein (immunohistochemistry) was seen in orexigenic neurons (in sheep and rats), but also in anorexigenic neurons (in sheep).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GnIH-3 reduces reproductive hormone levels and increases food intake in mammals without reducing energy expenditure. There is minimal effect on reproductive behaviour. The dual effect on reproduction and feeding suggests that GnIH-3 provides a molecular switch between these two functions. Blockade of the positive feedback effect of estrogen with parenteral infusion indicates that this peptide may have utility as a blocker of reproductive function in mammals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3800, Australia. iainclarke @ monash.edu
authors.forename: Iain J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Jeremy T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Belinda A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Oldfield
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stefanidis
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Millar
authors.forename: Ika Puspita
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Sari
authors.forename: Keefe
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chng
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fabre-Nys
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caraty
authors.forename: Beng Ti
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Louiza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Fraley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005812:Genes, Switch / Q000502:physiology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; C014995:gonadotropin inhibitor