title: Sex differences in the photoperiodic regulation of RF-Amide related peptide (RFRP) and its receptor GPR147 in the syrian hamster.
abstract: RF-(Arg-Phe) related peptides (RFRP-1 and -3) are considered to play a role in the seasonal regulation of reproduction; however, the effect of the peptides depends on species and gender. This study aimed at comparing the RFRP system in male and female Syrian hamsters over long and short photoperiods to investigate the neuroanatomical basis of these differential effects. The neuroanatomical distribution of RFRP neurons and fibers, revealed using an antiserum recognizing RFRP-1 and -3, as well as GPR147 mRNA, are similar in male and female Syrian hamsters. RFRP neurons are mainly found in the medial hypothalamus, whereas RFRP projections and GPR147 mRNA are observed in the preoptic area, anteroventral-periventricular nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, ventromedial hypothalamus, habenular nucleus, and arcuate nucleus. The number of RFRP neurons is higher in females than in males, and in both sexes, the number of RFRP neurons is reduced in short photoperiods. GPR147 mRNA levels are higher in females than in males and are downregulated in short photoperiods, particularly in females. Interestingly, the number of RFRP-positive fibers in the anteroventral-periventricular nucleus is higher only in females adjusted to a short photoperiod. Our results suggest that the RFRP system, which is strongly regulated by photoperiod in both male and female Syrian hamsters, is particularly important in females, with a distinct role in the anteroventral-periventricular nucleus, possibly in the regulation of the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surge via kisspeptin neurons.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, French National Center for Scientific Research, University of Strasbourg, 67084, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Jo B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Henningsen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, French National Center for Scientific Research, University of Strasbourg, 67084, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Vincent-Joseph
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Poirel
authors.affiliation: Neurobiology Research Unit, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen 2750, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jens D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Mikkelsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Waseda University, and Center for Medical Life Science of Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsutsui
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, French National Center for Scientific Research, University of Strasbourg, 67084, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Simonneaux
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, French National Center for Scientific Research, University of Strasbourg, 67084, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gauer
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D030161:Avian Proteins; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; C416987:RFamide peptide; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; C413752:gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone, Coturnix japonica; C083929:neuropeptide FF receptor
keywords: GnRH; dorso/ventromedial hypothalamus; seasonal reproduction