Analysis of KNDy neurons in goats by specific ablation techniques

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26870842
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Integrative animal science; Animal production science
• Research Institution: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
• Principal Investigator: Yamamura Takashi 国立研究開発法人農業生物資源研究所, 動物生産生理機能研究ユニット, 主任研究員 (60582723)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: GnRH / パルス状分泌 / ニューロキニン / キスペプチン / ターゲットトキシン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Kisspeptin/neurokinin B (NKB)/dynorphin (KNDy) neurons of the arcuate nucleus (ARC) play a key role in control of pulsatile GnRH secretion. Recent evidence suggests that NKB plays a pivotal role in GnRH pulse generation. Firstly we found that NK3R, which is one of neurokinin receptors and preferentially binds to NKB, plays a predominant role in GnRH pulse generation of goats. Second, to study NK3R function in GnRH pulse generation, we used a method to selectively ablate KNDy neurons using NK3-SAP, a NK3R agonist conjugated to saporin. NK3-SAP was microinjected into the ARC of goats using stereotaxic surgery. After 3 weeks of injections, we took a blood sample for measurement of LH levels and perfused for immunocytochemistry for kisspeptin in the ARC. NK3-SAP treatments tended to reduce amplitude of LH pulses and a number of kisspeptin-immunoreactive neurons. The results suggested NKB-NK3R signaling may play a dominant role in the GnRH pulse generation of KNDy neurons.

Free Research Field

動物生理学