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Neuroanatomy of the GnRH/Kisspeptin System

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Neuroanatomy of Neuroendocrine Systems

Part of the book series: Masterclass in Neuroendocrinology ((MANEURO,volume 12))

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Abstract

This chapter summarizes the current body of knowledge regarding the neuroanatomy of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/kisspeptin system controlling fertility. It focuses on contributions made using recent techniques, including cell-type-specific, promoter-driven labeling with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and other fluorescent biomarkers, tissue clearing, expansion microscopy, optogenetics, and viral tracing, to the anatomical characterization of hypothalamic GnRH and kisspeptin neurons as well as to the identification of their synaptic and non-synaptic inputs and outputs in transgenic mice and rats. Among the major findings are that GnRH neurons possess structures, termed “dendrons,” exhibiting properties of both dendrites and axons, that inputs to the GnRH neuron soma-proximal dendritic zone and to GnRH neuron distal dendrons from kisspeptin neurons differentially control pulsatile and surge GnRH secretion, and that GnRH and kisspeptin neurons receive inputs from neurons in multiple hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic areas that convey endocrine, metabolic, and environmental (including circadian, pheromonal, and social behavior-related) signals known to impact fertility.

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Further Reading

    GnRH Neurons

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    Kisspeptin Actions on GnRH Neurons

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    Circadian and Metabolic Regulation of Reproductive Function Via Kisspeptin

    • Evans MC, Anderson GM (2018) Integration of circadian and metabolic control of reproductive function. Endocrinology 159:3661–3673

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    • Navarro VM (2020) Metabolic regulation of kisspeptin – the link between energy balance and reproduction. Nat Rev Endocrinol 16:407–420

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    The Kisspeptin-GnRH Pathway in Reproductive Health and Disease

    Cell-Type-Specific Promoter-Driven Labeling, Optogenetics, and Viral Tracing

    Tissue Clearing and Expansion Microscopy

    • Ueda HR, Dodt HU, Osten P, Economo MN, Chandrashekar J, Keller PJ (2020) Whole-brain profiling of cells and circuits in mammals by tissue clearing and light-sheet microscopy. Neuron 106:369–387

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    1. Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

      Daniel J. Spergel

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    1. Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

      Valery Grinevich

    2. Department of Physiology & Neurobiology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary

      Árpád Dobolyi

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    Spergel, D.J. (2021). Neuroanatomy of the GnRH/Kisspeptin System. In: Grinevich, V., Dobolyi, Á. (eds) Neuroanatomy of Neuroendocrine Systems. Masterclass in Neuroendocrinology, vol 12. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86630-3_8

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