A subpopulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the adult mouse forebrain is -Aminobutyric acidergic

作者：Zhu, Jiao; Xu, Xiao-hui; Knight, Gillian E.; He, Cheng; Burnstock, Geoffrey; Xiang, Zhenghua^*

来源：Journal of Neuroscience Research, 2015, 93(10): 1611-1621.

DOI：10.1002/jnr.23610

• GnRH neuron
• GAD67
• sex hormone
• brain
• mouse

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons play a pivotal role in reproductive function. GnRH is released in distinct pulses that are regulated by neurotransmitters or neuromodulators. With immunohistochemistry and GAD67-GFP knockin mice, this study shows for the first time that a subset of GnRH neurons in the forebrain of adult mouse is -aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic. There is a gender difference in the percentage of GnRH neurons expressing GAD67-GFP in female vs. male mice. The percentage of GnRH neurons expressing GAD67-GFP decreased after castration of female mice and increased to the normal female level after estradiol treatment. The percentage of GnRH neurons expressing GAD67-GFP did not change significantly in intact, castrated, or castration+testosterone propionate-treated male mice. During the female estrous cycle, the percentage of GnRH neurons expressing GAD67-GFP was higher during the estrous stage than during the diestrous stage. During sexual maturation of postnatal development, GnRH neurons did not express GAD67-GFP until postnatal day (P) 15, and the gender differences were first detected at P30, which corresponds to the maturation stage. In conclusion, our data suggest that 1) a subset of GnRH neurons in mouse forebrain is GABA-ergic, 2) expression of GAD67-GFP in GnRH neurons is at least in part regulated by estrogen, and 3) GnRH neurons secrete GABA to regulate themselves.

• 出版日期2015-10
• 单位中国人民解放军第二军医大学; 上海大学