Regulation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Secretion by Kisspeptin/Dynorphin/Neurokinin B Neurons in the Arcuate Nucleus of the Mouse

Kisspeptin is encoded by the Kiss1 gene, and kisspeptin signaling plays a critical role in reproduction. In rodents, kisspeptin neurons in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) provide tonic drive to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, which in turn supports basal luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Our objectives were to determine whether preprodynorphin (Dyn) and neurokinin B (NKB) are coexpressed in Kiss1 neurons in the mouse and to evaluate its physiological significance. Using in situ hybridization, we found that Kiss1 neurons in the Arc of female mice not only express the Dyn and NKB genes but also the NKB receptor gene (NK3) and the Dyn receptor [the kappa opioid receptor (KOR)] gene. We also found that…

• UD
  U.S. Department of State
• UO
  University of Washington
• EC
  European Commission
• MD
  Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad
• NI
  National Institutes of Health
• NI
  National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• EK
  Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development