Study on a regulatory mechanism of follicular growth in goats by applying optogenetic technology

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24380154
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied animal science
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Ohkura Satoshi 名古屋大学, 生命農学研究科, 教授 (20263163)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MATSUDA Fuko 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科, 准教授 (10608855)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): FURUSAWA Tadashi 農業・食品産業技術総合研究機構, 畜産研究部門, 主任研究員 (00343997) ; OHKOSHI Katsuhiro 農業・食品産業技術総合研究機構, 畜産研究部門, 主任研究員 (00414889)
• Research Collaborator: KOBAYASHI Kenta ; SUETOMI Yuta ; TATEBAYASHI Ryoki ; OKUDA Kazuhiro ; KATO Masahiro ; HASSANEEN Ahmed Saad Ahmed
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 応用動物 / 神経科学 / 獣医学 / 畜産学 / GnRH / ヤギ / キスペプチン / ニューロキニンB

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study aimed to elucidate the hypothalamic mechanism controlling the follicular growth in ruminants. First, the genome structure of the goat neurokinin B gene (TAC3) and a transcriptional regulatory domain of TAC3 were identified. Second, to generate genetically modified goats which could control the activity of KNDy neurons (neurons contain neurokinin B) in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus by using an optogenetic technology, we applied the gene introduction method by the adeno-associated virus vector and Cre-loxP system in goats to establish a KNDy neuron-specific expression of light-responsive ion channels. Third, we demonstrated the localization of KNDy neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus in cows by immunohistochemistry and suggested that KNDy neurons have a key role to stimulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion, and then follicular growth in ruminants.

Free Research Field

家畜繁殖学