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Hypothalamic Astrocytes and the Role of Neuroprogesterone in Estrogen Positive Feedback

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Glial-Neuronal Signaling in Neuroendocrine Systems

Part of the book series: Masterclass in Neuroendocrinology ((MANEURO,volume 11))

Abstract

Astrocytes are critical for the CNS control of female reproduction by mediating estrogen positive feedback—an event through which the hypothalamus controls the surge release of luteinizing hormone (LH) to induce ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum. Estradiol controls physical interactions between astrocytes and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, controlling synaptic input and peptide release. Importantly, estradiol stimulates astrocytes to release neuroprogesterone, which activates kisspeptin neurons that control GnRH neuronal activity. Like estrogen positive feedback, estradiol-induced neuroprogesterone synthesis appears only in females after puberty. Coincident with the maturation of the reproductive system during puberty, a new population of astrocytes is added to the hypothalamus. It is thought that during estrogen positive feedback, estradiol induces progesterone receptors in kisspeptin neurons, which are activated by estradiol-facilitated neuroprogesterone release from newly born hypothalamic astrocytes. Kisspeptin release then triggers GnRH release, inducing the surge secretion of LH.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine and the Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Paul Micevych & Margaret Mohr

Authors
  1. Paul Micevych
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  2. Margaret Mohr
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Correspondence to Paul Micevych .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cell and Molecular Biology Department and Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Jeffrey G. Tasker

  2. Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Jaideep S. Bains

  3. Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, CIBERobn, Madrid, Spain

    Julie A. Chowen

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Micevych, P., Mohr, M. (2021). Hypothalamic Astrocytes and the Role of Neuroprogesterone in Estrogen Positive Feedback. In: Tasker, J.G., Bains, J.S., Chowen, J.A. (eds) Glial-Neuronal Signaling in Neuroendocrine Systems. Masterclass in Neuroendocrinology, vol 11. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62383-8_10

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