A subpopulation of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone neurons in the adult mouse forebrain is γ‐Aminobutyric acidergic. Issue 10 (18th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Jiao; Xu, Xiao‐hui; Knight, Gillian E.; He, Cheng; Burnstock, Geoffrey; Xiang, Zhenghua
• Is Part Of: Journal of neuroscience research. Volume 93:Issue 10(2015)
• Page Start: 1611
• Page End: 1621
• Publication Date: 2015-06-18
• Subjects: GnRH neuron -- GAD67 -- sex hormone -- brain -- mouse; Neurobiology -- Periodicals; 612
• DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23610
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-4012

Abstract

Abstract : 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 γ‐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. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Abstract : With immunofluorescence and GAD67‐GFP knockin mice, the present study clearly demonstrates that a subpopulation of GnRH neurons in the mouse forebrain is GABA‐ergic and that GAD67 expression in these GnRH neurons is regulated by estrogen.