Study on the neural mechanism of circadian output to female reproductive functions

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06360
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42010:Animal production science-related
• Research Institution: Meiji University
• Principal Investigator: Nakamura Takahiro 明治大学, 農学部, 専任教授 (00581985)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 体内時計 / 視交叉上核 / 加齢 / 隔離術 / 性周期 / 神経回路 / 時計遺伝子 / 光遺伝学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Circadian rhythm is a fundamental function that organisms have acquired and developed to survive on the earth. The central circadian clock of mammals exists in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. However, it remains unclear how the timing signal from the SCN is transmitted to the physiological functions of each organ. In this study, we investigated the functional neural circuits from the SCN to female reproductive functions using mice as model animals. Using chemogenetics and optogenetics, it was revealed that the estrous cycle was disturbed when only the AVP neurons of the SCN were inactivated. In addition, the estrous cycle was disturbed even in mice where the efferent nerve of SCN was cut. These results indicate that the neural output of AVP neurons in the SCN plays an important role in female reproductive function.

Free Research Field

動物生産科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で行った正確な日内ダイナミクスを制御するSCN機能的出力経路の解明は、広く科学研究に寄与するとともに、健康分野では概日リズムの変調に起因する各種疾患の発生基盤の理解および対策の開発につながり、食糧生産分野では家畜の繁殖・育種の効率化に貢献する。