title: Electrical properties of kisspeptin neurons and their regulation of GnRH neurons.
abstract: Kisspeptin neurons are critical components of the neuronal network controlling the activity of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. A variety of genetically-manipulated mouse models have recently facilitated the study of the electrical activity of the two principal kisspeptin neuron populations located in the rostral periventricular area of the third ventricle (RP3V) and arcuate nucleus (ARN) in acute brain slices. We discuss here the mechanisms and pathways through which kisspeptin neurons regulate GnRH neuron activity. We then examine the different kisspeptin-green fluorescent protein mouse models being used for kisspeptin electrophysiology and the data obtained to date for RP3V and ARN kisspeptin neurons. In light of these new observations on the spontaneous firing rates, intrinsic membrane properties, and neurotransmitter regulation of kisspeptin neurons, we speculate on the physiological roles of the different kisspeptin populations.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Physiology, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Piet
authors.affiliation: Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Physiology, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Croft
authors.affiliation: Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Physiology, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Xinhuai
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Physiology, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. Electronic address: allan.herbison@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Allan E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Herbison
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D059648:Kisspeptins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D059648:Kisspeptins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
keywords: Electrophysiology; Estrogen feedback; Fertility; GnRH; Ion channel; Kisspeptin; Luteinizing hormone; Neuropeptide; Pulse generator