Seasonal expression of KiSS-1 and the pituitary gonadotropins LHβ and FSHβ in adult male Libyan jird (Meriones libycus).
The molecular mechanisms operating on a seasonal time-scale and regulating functions such as reproduction are poorly understood in animals living in desert environments. Kisspeptin, the product of the KiSS-1 gene, plays a critical role in control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis that orchestrates the reproductive system in vertebrates. We report a sequence analysis of KiSS-1 and the pituitary luteinising hormone-beta (LHβ) and follicle-stimulating hormone-beta (FSHβ) in the Libyan jird (Meriones libycus), a seasonal breeding rodent that is sexually active during spring and quiescent in fall. We also assessed gene expression by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction during the non-breeding and breeding seasons. The KiSS-1 cDNA sequence analysis showed high homology between M. libycus and all other rodents (94%) and humans (92%). KiSS-1 expression was higher during the breeding season than that during the non-breeding season. In contrast, LHβ and FSHβ expression levels were higher during the non-breeding season in autumn and varied in an opposite manner with testicular, seminal vesicle weights and plasma testosterone levels. Our results extend the role for KiSS-1 in activating the HPG axis in this desert rodent in its natural biotope by relaying environmental cues as in other seasonal non-desert rodent models.
BADJI Mokhtar University, Faculty of Sciences, Biochemistry Department, Annaba, Algeria; Houari Boumediene Sciences Technology University, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Arid Zones Research Laboratory (LRZA), Algiers, Algeria.
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Boufermes
University Hospital, Genetic Department, F-14033 Caen, France.
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Richard
University Caen, Basse Normandie, France.
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Le Moguen
Houari Boumediene Sciences Technology University, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Arid Zones Research Laboratory (LRZA), Algiers, Algeria.
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Amirat
Houari Boumediene Sciences Technology University, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Arid Zones Research Laboratory (LRZA), Algiers, Algeria.
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Khammar
University Hospital, Genetic Department, F-14033 Caen, France; University Caen, Basse Normandie, France; INSERM U1075, France. Electronic address: kottler-ml@chu-caen.fr.
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Kottler
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D005849:Gerbillinae / Q000378:metabolism*; D059648:Kisspeptins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D037101:Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons
D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit; D059648:Kisspeptins; D037101:Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit
Desert rodents; FSHβ, LHβ; KiSS-1; Real-time RT-PCR, phylogenetic; Seasonal reproduction; Testosterone