Reproduction Abstracts

Kisspeptin, encoded by Kiss1 gene, is considered to be a key regulator for GnRH secretion. Kiss1 knockout (KO) rats are infertile due to the absence of gonadotropin secretion in both sexes. Kiss1 KO male rats receiving testosterone during their adult age showed no male sexual behaviors (mount, intromission, and ejaculation), but showed female sexual behavior (lordosis) in Kiss1 KO males. To examine whether kisspeptin is also needed to induce...

Pulsatile secretion of GnRH/LH is indispensable for puberty onset and normal reproductive functions in mammalian species. A cohort of neurons expressing three neuropeptides, kisspeptin, neurokinin B (NKB), and dynorphin (KNDy neurons), localized in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), are considered to be a source of GnRH pulse generator. A synchronous discharge of KNDy neurons might be obligatory for pulsatile GnRH secretion. The present study aimed to determine whether NK...

Two populations of kisspeptin neurons, located in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV), are considered to be involved in generating GnRH pulse and surge respectively. The present study aimed to determine the region-specific enhancer for ARC Kiss1 gene expression by in vivo reporter assay using transgenic (Tg) mice. Three GFP reporter constructs (long-, middle-, and short-length) were generated by insertion of GFP cDNA in ...

Kisspeptin, encoded by Kiss1 gene, has attracted attention as a key neuropeptide in controlling reproduction in mammals. Earlier studies with Kiss1 or its cognate receptor Gpr54 knockout (KO) mice showed the indispensable role of kisspeptin–GPR54 signaling on reproduction, but detailed analysis of gonadotropin release were still limited. Here we have generated Kiss1 KO rats to evaluate a role of kisspeptin on pulsatile gonadotropin secr...