Fergani, C and Navarro, VM (2016) Expanding the role of tachykinins in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction. Reproduction, 153 (1). ISSN 1470-1626

Preview

Text Fergani Navarro Tachykinin review.pdf - Accepted Version Download (232kB) | Preview

Abstract

Reproductive function is driven by the hormonal interplay between the gonads and brain–pituitary axis. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is released in a pulsatile manner, which is critical for the attainment and maintenance of fertility; however, GnRH neurons lack the ability to directly respond to most regulatory factors, and a hierarchical upstream neuronal network governs its secretion. We and others proposed a model in which Kiss1 neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), called as KNDy neurons, release kisspeptin (a potent GnRH secretagogue) in a pulsatile manner to drive GnRH pulses under the coordinated autosynaptic action of its cotransmitters, the tachykinin neurokinin B (NKB, stimulatory) and dynorphin (inhibitory). Numerous genetic and pharmacological studies support this model; however, additional regulatory mechanisms (upstream of KNDy neurons) and alternative pathways of GnRH secretion (kisspeptin independent) exist, but remain ill defined. In this aspect, attention to other members of the tachykinin family, namely substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA), has recently been rekindled. Even though there are still major gaps in our knowledge about the functional significance of these systems, substantial evidence, as discussed below, is placing tachykinin signaling as an important pathway for the awakening of the reproductive axis and the onset of puberty to physiological GnRH secretion and maintenance of fertility in adulthood.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1114 Paediatrics And Reproductive Medicine, 0606 Physiology, 1103 Clinical Sciences
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Divisions:	Natural Sciences & Psychology (closed 31 Aug 19)
Publisher:	BioScientifica
Related URLs:	Author
Date Deposited:	27 Jun 2018 10:36
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2021 10:25
DOI or ID number:	10.1530/REP-16-0378
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/8795

View Item