title: Regulation and Function of RFRP-3 (GnIH) Neurons during Postnatal Development.
abstract: RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3) [mammalian ortholog to gonadotropin-inhibiting hormone (GnIH)] potently inhibits gonadotropin secretion in mammals. Studies of RFRP-3 immunoreactivity and Rfrp expression (the gene encoding RFRP-3) in mammalian brains have uncovered several possible pathways regulating RFRP-3 neurons, shedding light on their potential role in reproduction and other processes, and pharmacological studies have probed the target sites of RFRP-3 action. Despite this, there is currently no major consensus on RFRP-3's specific endogenous role(s) in reproductive physiology. Here, we discuss the latest evidence relating to RFRP-3 neuron regulation and function during development and sexual maturation, focusing on rodents. We highlight significant changes in RFRP-3 and Rfrp expression, as well as RFRP-3 neuronal activation, during key stages of postnatal and pubertal development and also discuss recent evidence testing the requisite role of RFRP-3 receptors for normal pubertal timing and developmental LH secretion. Interestingly, some findings suggest that endogenous RFRP-3 signaling may not be necessary for the puberty timing, at least in some species, forcing new hypotheses to be generated regarding this peptide's functional significance to sexual maturation and development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, CA , USA.
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Poling
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, CA , USA.
authors.forename: Alexander S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kauffman
keywords: GnIH; Gpr147; RFRP-3; Rfrp; development; puberty; reproduction