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Plasticity of Neuroendocrine Mechanisms Regulating Seasonal Reproduction in Sheep

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Neuroendocrine Clocks and Calendars

Part of the book series: Masterclass in Neuroendocrinology ((MANEURO,volume 10))

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Abstract

The sheep is not only a valuable animal model in which to investigate the mechanisms underlying seasonality, it is a commercially important species where reproduction of many breeds is profoundly seasonal. This chapter will describe how studies in sheep have revealed plasticity in the hypothalamus that likely underlies seasonal changes in neuroendocrine function. This includes changes in the kisspeptin neuronal system that provides a key drive to the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretory system, seasonal fluctuations in neurogenesis, and cell fate in the hypothalamus, morphological reorganizations as revealed by changes in polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule immunoreactivity, and changes in permeability of the blood-brain barrier.

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Recommended Further Reading

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  • This review summarizes the most recent data on molecular pathways involved in the translation of photoperiod to the hypothalamus and also expand the discussion by addressing the possible involvement of RFRP-3 neurons in the central control of reproduction.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Centre INRA Val de Loire, Nouzilly, France

    Laurence Dufourny & Isabelle Franceschini

Authors
  1. Laurence Dufourny
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  2. Isabelle Franceschini
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Correspondence to Laurence Dufourny .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Francis J. P. Ebling

  2. School of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Hugh D. Piggins

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Dufourny, L., Franceschini, I. (2020). Plasticity of Neuroendocrine Mechanisms Regulating Seasonal Reproduction in Sheep. In: Ebling, F.J.P., Piggins, H.D. (eds) Neuroendocrine Clocks and Calendars. Masterclass in Neuroendocrinology, vol 10. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55643-3_5

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