性激素反馈调节下丘脑ARC和AVPV中kisspeptin-GPR54信号通路的核团差异

下丘脑-垂体-性腺（HPG）轴是调控生殖系统的发育和功能的重要内分泌系统。下丘脑中促性腺激素释放激素（GnRH）神经元,能够接收各种神经传导物质和神经调节物质的信号输入,引起HPG轴的级联反应。下丘脑弓状核(ARC）和前腹侧脑室周围核团(AVPV）中的kisspeptin-GPR54信号通路,可以调控GnRH的分泌和释放,影响性腺激素的分泌。近年来研究发现,性激素能够对下丘脑kisspeptin-GPR54信号通路产生反馈调节,且具有核团差异性。本文就性激素在下丘脑ARC和AVPV中对kisspeptin-GPR54信号通路反馈调节的差异性进行了综述,探讨下丘脑中不同核团对性激素刺激作用产生的不同反应。     

促性腺激素抑制激素与生殖轴的关系

下丘脑的促性腺激素释放激素((GnRH)对调控促性腺激素释放十分重要.10年前在鸟类中首先发现了促性腺激素抑制激素(GnIH),它的鉴定提示GnRH不是唯一能直接影响垂体促性腺激素释放的下丘脑神经肤.GnIH及其同系肽广泛存在于鸟类及哺乳动物体内,GnIH在脑部与GnRH神经接触,GnIH可以直接抑制垂体促性腺激素的合成和释放,GnIH及其受体在鸟类和哺乳动物的生殖腺存在.因此GnIH可以在多个水平直接影响生殖轴:脑部、垂体、生殖腺.     

月经周期的生理调控

下丘脑-垂体-卵巢轴直接调控月经周期,三者之间通过促性腺激素与卵巢甾体激素对下丘脑、垂体产生的反馈机制产生生理性周期变化,卵巢局部产生众多的肽类因子形成卵巢内自分泌／旁分泌调节系统,参与垂体促性腺激素性腺内作用机制的调控。     

哺乳动物冷应激的主要神经内分泌反应

为便于了解哺乳动物冷应激生理变化的调节机理,介绍了冷应激的主要神经内分泌反应。控制冷应激反应的主要中枢位于下丘脑。冷应激激活交感神经系统,激活下丘脑－垂体－甲状腺轴和下丘脑－垂体－肾上腺轴激素的合成和分泌,引起肾上腺髓质儿茶酚胺分泌增加;同时抑制促生长激素轴、促性腺轴、催乳激素轴的激素分泌。神经肽Y、瘦素、褪黑激素等多种神经肽和激素参与冷应激反应。     

浅谈中枢性性早熟的发病机制

性早熟(precocious puberty,PP)是一种常见的儿科性发育异常疾病.其中,中枢性性早熟(central precocious puberty,CPP)是由于下丘脑-垂体-性腺(hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal,HPG)轴提前激活,导致促性腺激素的激素释放提前且大量释放,使性腺...     

GnRH及其受体在性成熟前后鲇、黄颡鱼脑、垂体和卵巢中的免疫细胞化学定位

用链霉亲和素 -生物素化过氧化物酶复合物 (StreptAvidinBiotin peroxidaseComplex ,SABC)免疫细胞化学方法 ,使用促性腺激素释放激素 (Gonadotropin releasinghormone ,GnRH)以及促性腺激素释放激素受体 (GnRHR) 2种抗血清对性成熟前后的黄颡鱼 (Pelteobagrusfulvidraco)和鲇鱼 (Silurusasotus)的脑、垂体、卵巢中的免疫活性内分泌细胞进行了免疫细胞化学定位。结果表明GnRH和GnRHR免疫活性在两种鱼的各脑区、垂体、卵巢中均有分布 ;两种鱼在性成熟时它们的下丘脑、垂体和卵巢中的GnRH和GnRHR免疫反应细胞数目和免疫反应强度明显高于性成熟前。本文讨论了GnRH、GnRHR直接或间接参与黄颡鱼和鲇鱼性腺发育成熟调节的可能性及形态学证据。可为下丘脑 垂体 性腺轴、神经 内分泌、GnRH功能的多样性等研究领域提供新的形态学依据。     

高雄激素相关的慢性炎症与多囊卵巢综合征的研究进展

多囊卵巢综合征是育龄妇女常见的慢性炎症代谢性疾病,70%以上患者出现高雄激素血症。下丘脑-垂体-性腺相关激素是月经周期和卵巢活动的调节器,脑神经元分泌的Kisspeptin、褪黑素通过下丘脑-垂体-卵巢轴调节Gn RH神经元AMH、Gn RH的表达,卵巢促性腺激素、雄激素水平增高,有利于慢性炎症的形成,促进多囊卵巢综合征的发生发展。本文综述了近几年多囊卵巢综合征中雄激素相关的慢性炎症研究,并根据相关研究提出了一些见解,希望能为多囊卵巢综合征的研究提供一些新的思路。     

重复制动应激对雌性大鼠下丘脑-垂体-卵巢轴的影响

目的: 探索重复制动应激对雌性大鼠下丘脑-垂体-卵巢轴的影响。方法: 40只SD雌鼠随机分为两组(n=20),对照组和实验组,一组正常饲养,一组采取递增负荷束缚应激,每天置于束缚器内制动应激一次(从上午9:00开始),第1日制动2 h,以后采用递增负荷,每日增加0.5 h,持续两周,通过检测体重、脏器系数、动情周期、性激素、病理和相关基因的表达探索其对下丘脑-垂体-卵巢轴的危害。结果: 重复制动应激使雌性大鼠体重下降、动情周期延长,卵巢和子宫的脏器系数和形态发生改变,利用qPCR技术对其相关基因检测,发现下丘脑促性腺激素释放激素、垂体促性腺激素释放激素受体、促卵泡生成素和促黄体生成素mRNA的表达显著下降,卵巢促卵泡生成素和黄体生成素受体 mRNA的表达显著上升,卵巢和子宫雌激素受体mRNA的表达显著下降。结论: 重复制动应激可能通过干扰下丘脑-垂体-卵巢轴的内分泌调节作用,使动情周期紊乱,从而损伤雌性动物的性腺和生殖内分泌功能。     

不同日粮水平对初情期五指山猪性腺轴Kisspeptin/GPR54蛋白表达作用

为了阐明不同日粮水平对初情期五指山猪母猪性腺轴组织中Kisspeptin/GPR54蛋白表达作用影响,本研究采用免疫组织化学法DAB显色技术对其蛋白表达进行检测。结果表明,NRC和0.7 NRC两组实验中猪性腺轴(下丘脑,垂体,卵巢)组织中均检测到Kisspeptin和GPR54 2种蛋白的表达,并确定2种蛋白表达部位为细胞核;其中NRC组Kisspeptin蛋白下丘脑、垂体和卵巢中表达量显著比0.7 NRC组高(p0.05),2组实验中GPR54蛋白在性腺轴中表达无显著差异(p0.05),说明Kisspeptin/GPR54系统在动物初情期中的调控作用是通过个体下丘脑组织中Kiss1蛋白的表达情况得以实现的;Kisspeptin蛋白在2组实验组猪个体性腺轴中的表达规律一致,表达量从高到低排列依次为丘脑、垂体、卵巢;GPR54蛋白则在2组实验组猪个体性腺轴中表达量从高到低排列依次为卵巢、垂体、下丘脑。说明控制日粮能量的摄入并不能影响以上2种基因在猪个体性腺轴各组织中的表达规律。     

神经肽和神经递质对下丘脑正中隆起促性腺激素释放激素神经元末梢的调节

下丘脑正中隆起GnRH神经元末梢分泌GnRH对维持下丘脑—垂体—性腺轴功能起着重要作用。内源性阿片肽、心钠素和去甲肾上腺素、多巴胺和γ-氨基丁酸均参与下丘脑正中隆起GnRH分泌作用和作用机制。     

Gsh-1, an orphan Hox gene, is required for normal pituitary development.

The anterior pituitary regulates the function of multiple organ systems as well as body growth, and in turn is controlled by peptides released by the hypothalamus. We find that mutation of the Gsh-1 homeobox gene results in pleiotropic effects on pituitary development and function. Homozygous mutants exhibit extreme dwarfism, sexual infantilism and significant perinatal mortality. The mutant pituitary is small in size and hypocellular, with severely reduced numbers of growth hormone- and prolactin-producing cells. Moreover, the pituitary content of a subset of pituitary hormones, including growth hormone, prolactin and luteinizing hormone, is significantly decreased. The hypothalamus, although morphologically normal, is also perturbed in mutants. The gsh-1 gene is shown to be essential for growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) gene expression in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Further, sequence and electrophoretic mobility shift data suggest the Gsh-1 and GHRH genes as potential targets regulated by the Gsh-1-encoded protein. The mutant phenotype indicates a critical role for Gsh-1 in the genetic hierarchy of the formation and function of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.     

Alpha-fetoprotein controls female fertility and prenatal development of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone pathway through an antiestrogenic action

It has been shown previously that female mice homozygous for an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) null allele are sterile as a result of anovulation, probably due to a defect in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Here we show that these female mice exhibit specific anomalies in the expression of numerous genes in the pituitary, including genes involved in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone pathway, which are underexpressed. In the hypothalamus, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene, Gnrh1, was also found to be down-regulated. However, pituitary gene expression could be normalized and fertility could be rescued by blocking prenatal estrogen synthesis using an aromatase inhibitor. These results show that AFP protects the developing female brain from the adverse effects of prenatal estrogen exposure and clarify a long-running debate on the role of this fetal protein in brain sexual differentiation.     

小梅山猪Ghrelin基因的克隆及其在生殖轴的表达

以小梅山母猪为试验材料,通过RT-PCR、克隆及荧光定量,研究Ghrelin在其生长发育不同阶段生殖轴表达情况,旨在探究Ghrelin对动物繁殖性能的影响。结果表明,初生、初情期至性成熟卵巢Ghrelin mRNA表达量呈上升趋势,不同阶段间差异显著(P<0.05)。性成熟时生殖轴不同组织Ghrelin mRNA表达量,卵巢明显高于垂体和下丘脑(P<0.05),而垂体与下丘脑间差异则不显著(P>0.05)。     

Nutrient restriction induces failure of reproductive function and molecular changes in hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis in postpubertal gilts

People on a diet to lose weight may be at risk of reproductive failure. To investigate the effects of nutrient restriction on reproductive function and the underlying mechanism, changes of reproductive traits, hormone secretions and gene expressions in hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis were examined in postpubertal gilts at anestrus induced by nutrient restriction. Gilts having experienced two estrus cycles were fed a normal (CON, 2.86 kg/d) or nutrient restricted (NR, 1 kg/d) food regimens to expect anestrus. NR gilts experienced another three estrus cycles, but did not express estrus symptoms at the anticipated fourth estrus. Blood samples were collected at 5 days’ interval for consecutive three times for measurement of hormone concentrations at the 23th day of the fourth estrus cycle. Individual progesterone concentrations of NR gilts from three consecutive blood samples were below 1.0 ng/mL versus 2.0 ng/mL in CON gilts, which was considered anestrus. NR gilts had impaired development of reproductive tract characterized by absence of large follicles (diameter ≥ 6 mm), decreased number of corepus lutea and atrophy of uterus and ovary tissues. Circulating concentrations of IGF-I, kisspeptin, estradiol, progesterone and leptin were significantly lower in NR gilts than that in CON gilts. Nutrient restriction down-regulated gene expressions of kiss-1, G-protein coupled protein 54, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, estrogen receptor α, progesterone receptor, leptin receptor, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone and insulin-like growth factor I in hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis of gilts. Collectively, nutrient restriction resulted in impairment of reproductive function and changes of hormone secretions and gene expressions in hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis, which shed light on the underlying mechanism by which nutrient restriction influenced reproductive function.     

Expression of mRNA for interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and macrophage migration inhibitory factor in HPA-axis tissues in Schistosoma mansoni-infected baboons (Papio cynocephalus)

Cytokines may regulate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during schistosomiasis. This possibility was investigated in baboons experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Serum levels of corticotrophin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotrophin, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone were confirmed to be decreased in infected baboons as previously shown. To explore if this effect is associated with specific expression of cytokines with endocrine activity, and are also associated with the pathology of the disease, Northern blots for interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and macrophage migration inhibitory factor in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis tissues were performed. Infection induced interleukin-1beta gene expression in the hypothalamus, while interleukin-6 and migration inhibitory factor mRNAs were induced only in the pituitary and adrenal glands. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene expression was induced in the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Histopathological analysis of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis tissues in infected and control baboons revealed no morphological differences between them. These results suggest that specific cytokines expressed in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis tissues could regulate hormone secretion during schistosomiasis.     

Secretin, glucagon, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, parathyroid hormone, and related peptides in the regulation of the hypothalamus- pituitary-adrenal axis

Secretin, glucagon, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) belong, together with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase (AC)-activating polypeptide, to a family of peptides (the VIP-secretin-glucagon family), which also includes growth hormone-releasing hormone and exendins. All the members of this peptide family possess a remarkable amino-acid sequence homology, and bind to G-protein-coupled receptors, whose signaling mechanism primarily involves AC/protein kinase A and phospholipase C/protein kinase C cascades. VIP and pituitary AC-activating polypeptide play a role in the regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and in this review we survey findings that also other members of the VIP-secretin-glucagon family may have the same function. Secretin and secretin receptors are expressed in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, and secretin inhibits adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release. No evidence is available for the presence of secretin receptors in adrenal glands, but secretin selectively depresses the glucocorticoid response to ACTH of dispersed zona fasciculata-reticularis (ZF/R) cells. Glucagon and glucagon-like peptide-1 are contained in the hypothalamus, and all the components of the HPA axis are provided with glucagon and glucagons-like-1 receptors. These peptides exert a short-term inhibitory effect on stress-induced pituitary ACTH release and depress the ZF/R cell response to ACTH by inhibiting the AC/protein kinase A cascade; they also stimulate hypothalamic arginine-vasopressin release. GIP receptors are present in the ZF/R of the normal adrenals, and are particularly abundant in some types of adrenocortical adenomas and hyperplasias. GIP, through the activation of the AC/protein kinase A cascade, evokes a sizeable glucocorticoid secretagogue effect, leading to the identification of a food/GIP-dependent Cushing's syndrome. PTH and PTH-related protein are expressed in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, and PTH and PTH-related protein receptors in all the components of the HPA axis. Both peptides enhance ACTH and arginine-vasopressin release, as well as stimulate aldosterone and glucocorticoid secretion of dispersed zona glomerulosa and ZF/R cells, respectively. The involvement of growth hormone-releasing hormone and exendins in the functional regulation of the HPA axis has not yet been extensively investigated.     

Effects of subchronic alternating cadmium exposure on dopamine turnover and plasma levels of prolactin, GH and ACTH

This study was undertaken to analyze if the effects of subchronic alternating cadmium exposure on pituitary hormone secretion are mediated by changes in dopamine turnover in an age dependent way or are directly correlated to cadmium accumulation at the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Male rats were treated sc. from day 30 to 60 (prepubertal period) or from day 60 to 90 (adult age) of life, with cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) at a dose of 0.5 and 1.0 mg kg^–1 bw, every 4th day in an alternate schedule, starting with the smaller dose. Dopamine (DA) turnover, expressed as the ratio of acid 3,3-dihidroxifenil acetic (DOPAC)/DA in various hypothalamic areas, the plasma levels of prolactin, growth hormone (GH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cadmium accumulation in the hypothalamus and pituitary were studied. Prepubertal cadmium exposure decreased DA content in all hypothalamic areas studied, although its turnover was not modified. A decrease in plasma ACTH levels with no changes in plasma prolactin and GH levels were found. Cadmium did not accumulate in pituitary while it increased in the hypothalamus. Metal exposure during adulthood decreased DA content in mediobasal and posterior hypothalamus, and its turnover in posterior hypothalamus and median eminence. It decreased plasma prolactin and ACTH levels but not those of GH. Cadmium concentration increased in both hypothalamus and pituitary. These results suggest that cadmium exposure produces age dependent changes on the secretory mechanisms of the pituitary hormones studied, related to the selective accumulation of the metal at both hypothalamic and hypophyseal level changes. However the effects of the metal are not mediated by dopamine.     

Aspects of central and peripheral regulation of reproduction in mammals

To increase our knowledge concerning the central and peripheral regulation of reproduction in mammals a series of studies were performed. In the first experiment, we found that exogenous leptin altered the activity of the hypothalmo-pituitary-gonadotropic axis in sheep during insufficient feeding. The action of leptin appears to be mediated by changes in GnRH and LH secretion as well as NPY immunoreactivity. The aim of the second experiment was to investigate the role of the adipoinsular axis hormones during pregnancy in rats. The elevated levels of plasma leptin as wells as the increased mRNAs expression of the leptin receptors in placenta indicate the significant role of the hormone in fetal growth and development. On the other hand, a decrease in leptin receptors mRNA content within hypothalamus and pituitary together with unchanged plasma insulin level may suggest that during rat pregnancy leptin resistance was developed in the hypothalamus, pituitary and pancreatic islets. The third experiment was carried out to establish the role of opioids and glucocorticoids in the regulation of the hypothalmo-pituitary-gonadal axis in ewes during natural or synchronized estrous cycle. Prolonged treatment with progesterone resulted in significant changes in plasma levels of Met-enkephalin, cortisol and steroids and altered the expression of proenkephalin mRNA in the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary and adrenals. Injections of Met-enkephalin or naltrexone (blocker of opioid receptors) modulated the progesterone influence in tested tissues. The data clearly suggest that opioids are involved in the regulation of the estrous cycle at the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal/adrenal axes.     

Radiation-induced growth hormone deficiency

Deficiency of one or more anterior pituitary hormones may follow treatment with external irradiation when the hypothalamic-pituitary axis falls within the fields of irradiation. Hypopituitarism occurs in patients who receive radiation therapy for pituitary tumours, nasopharyngeal cancer and primary brain tumours, as well as in children who undergo prophylactic cranial irradiation for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, or total body irradiation for a variety of tumours and other diseases. The degree of pituitary hormonal deficit is related to the radiation dose received by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Thus, after lower radiation doses isolated growth hormone deficiency ensues, whilst higher doses may produce hypopituitarism. The timing of onset of the radiation-induced pituitary hormone deficit is also dose-dependent. The main site of radiation damage is the hypothalamus rather than the pituitary, although the latter may be affected directly.     

Quantitative and theoretical analyses of the relation between older brothers and homosexuality in men

Meta-analysis of aggregate data from 14 samples representing 10,143 male subjects shows that homosexuality in human males is predicted by higher numbers of older brothers, but not by higher numbers of older sisters, younger brothers, or younger sisters. The relation between number of older brothers and sexual orientation holds only for males. This phenomenon has therefore been called the fraternal birth order effect. Research on birth order, birth weight, and sexual orientation suggests that the developmental pathway to homosexuality initiated by older brothers operates during prenatal life. Calculations assuming a causal relation between older brothers and sexual orientation have estimated the proportion of homosexual men who owe their sexual orientation to fraternal birth order at 15% in one study and 29% in another. The maternal immune hypothesis proposes that the fraternal birth order effect reflects the progressive immunization of some mothers to male-specific antigens by each succeeding male fetus and the increasing effects of such immunization on sexual differentiation of the brain in each succeeding male fetus. There are at least three possible mechanisms by which the mother's immune response could influence the fetus: the transfer of anti-male antibodies across the placenta from the maternal into the fetal compartment, the transfer of maternal cytokines across the placenta, and maternal immune reactions affecting the placenta itself. This hypothesis is consistent with recent studies showing that the quantity of fetal cells that enter the maternal circulation is greater than previously thought, and that the number of male-specific proteins encoded by Y-chromosome genes is greater than previously thought.