[Effects of RFRP-3 on reproductive function and energy balance in mammals].
The hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis integrates internal and external cues via a balance of stimulatory and inhibitory neurochemical systems to regulate reproductive function in mammals. However, RFRP-3 is a unique inhibitor of HPG axis at the hypothalamuic level in mammals to date. A large number of previous studies have confirmed that RFamide-related peptide (RFRP-3) suppresses gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) system and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, thereby affecting the reproduction. However, whether the inhibition of LH secretion by RFRP-3 occurs at the pituitary level or the hypothalamus level is not clear. It is interesting that RFRP-3 is also related to signal pathway of melatonin modulating mammal seasonal reproduction, but little is known about the effects of melatonin on the RFRP-3 neuron up to now. In addition, RFRP-3 also plays an important role in the regulation of energy balance and behavior. The regulatory mechanism of RFRP-3 in HPG axis and role of RFRP-3 in modulating mammalian energy balance, as well as behavior, are systematically elaborated and the remaining unsolved problems are also discussed in this paper.
Bioengineering Institute of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China. xw19880905@sina.com
Wei
W
Xiang
Ping
P
Lai
Bao-Yun
BY
Zhang
Ping-Qing
PQ
Wang
Ming-Xing
MX
Chu
Qi
Q
Fan
Chong-Xu
CX
Liu
Ying
Y
Tan
D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism; D008322:Mammals; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D009479:Neuropeptides; C416987:RFamide peptide