Estrous Cycle Modulation of Feeding and Relaxin-3/Rxfp3 mRNA Expression - Implications for Estradiol

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila de Ávila ◽  
Sandrine Chometton ◽  
Juliane Calvez ◽  
Geneviève Guèvremont ◽  
Alan Kania ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Estrogen Receptor ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Type I ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Relaxin Family

Introduction: Food intake varies during the ovarian hormone/estrous cycle in humans and rodents, an effect mediated mainly by estradiol. A potential mediator of the central anorectic effects of estradiol is the neuropeptide relaxin-3 (RLN3) synthetised in the nucleus incertus (NI) and acting via the relaxin-family peptide-3 receptor (RXFP3). Methods: We investigated the relationship of RLN3/RXFP3 signaling and feeding behavior across the female rat estrous cycle. We used in situ hybridization to investigate expression patterns of Rln3 mRNA in NI and Rxfp3 mRNA in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), medial preoptic area (MPA), and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), across the estrous cycle. We identified expression of estrogen receptors in the NI using droplet digital polymerase-chain reaction and assessed the electrophysiological responsiveness of NI neurons to estradiol in brain slices. Results: Rln3 mRNA reached the lowest levels in the NI pars compacta during proestrus. Rxfp3 mRNA levels varied across the estrous cycle in a region-specific manner, with changes observed in the perifornical LHA, magnocellular PVN, dorsal BNST, and MPA, but not in the parvocellular PVN or lateral LHA. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (Gper1) mRNA was the most abundant estrogen receptor transcript in the NI. Estradiol inhibited 33% of type I NI neurons, including RLN3-positive cells. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the RLN3/RXFP3 system is modulated by the estrous cycle and although further studies are required to better elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of estradiol signaling, current results implicate the involvement of RLN3/RXFP3 system in food intake fluctuations observed across the estrous cycle in female rats.

Estrogen potentiates constrictor prostanoid function in female rat aorta by upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 and thromboxane pathway expression

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (6) ◽  
pp. H2444-H2455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Li ◽  
Lih Kuo ◽  
John N. Stallone
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Reactivity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rat Aorta ◽  
Arachidonic Acid Metabolism ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Pathway Expression ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Cox 1

Estrogen potentiates vascular reactivity to vasopressin (VP) by enhancing constrictor prostanoid function. To determine the cellular and molecular mechanisms, the effects of estrogen on arachidonic acid metabolism and on the expression of constrictor prostanoid pathway enzymes and endoperoxide/thromboxane receptor (TP) were determined in the female rat aorta. The release of thromboxane A2 (TxA2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) was measured in male (M), intact-female (Int-F), ovariectomized-female (OvX-F), and OvX + 17β-estradiol-replaced female (OvX + ER-F) rats. The expression of mRNA for cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, thromboxane synthase (TxS), and TP by aortic endothelium (Endo) and vascular smooth muscle (VSM) of these four experimental groups was measured by RT-PCR. The expression of COX-1, COX-2, and TxS proteins by Endo and VSM was also estimated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Basal release of TxA2 and PGI2 was similar in M (18.8 ± 1.9 and 1,723 ± 153 pg/mg ring wt/45 min, respectively) and Int-F (20.2 ± 4.2 and 1,488 ± 123 pg, respectively) rat aortas. VP stimulated the dose-dependent release of TxA2 and PGI2 from both male and female rat aorta. OvX markedly attenuated and ER therapy restored VP-stimulated release of TxA2 and PGI2 in female rats. No differences in COX-1 mRNA levels were detected in either Endo or VSM of the four experimental groups ( P > 0.1). The expression of both COX-2 and TxS mRNA were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in both Endo and VSM of Int-F and OvX + ER-F, compared with M or OvX-F. Expression of TP mRNA was significantly higher in VSM of Int-F and OvX + ER-F compared with M or OvX-F. IHC revealed the uniform staining of COX-1 in VSM of the four experimental groups, whereas staining of COX-2 and TxS was greater in Endo and VSM of Int-F and OvX + ER-F than in OvX-F or M rats. These data reveal that estrogen enhances constrictor prostanoid function in female rat aorta by upregulating the expression of COX-2 and TxS in both Endo and VSM and by upregulating the expression of TP in VSM.

scholarly journals Differential Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) and GnRH Receptor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression Patterns in Different Tissues of the Female Rat across the Estrous Cycle

Endocrinology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 146 (8) ◽  
pp. 3401-3408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamar D. Schirman-Hildesheim ◽  
Tzachi Bar ◽  
Nurit Ben-Aroya ◽  
Yitzhak Koch
Keyword(s):  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Similar Pattern ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Gnrh Receptor ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Messenger Ribonucleic Acid ◽  
Early Afternoon ◽  
Specific Regulation

Abstract GnRH, the main regulator of reproduction, is produced in a variety of tissues outside of the hypothalamus, its main site of synthesis and release. We aimed to determine whether GnRH produced in the female rat pituitary and ovaries is involved in the processes leading to ovulation. We studied the expression patterns of GnRH and GnRH receptor (GnRH-R) in the same animals throughout the estrous cycle using real-time PCR. Hypothalamic levels of GnRH mRNA were highest at 1700 h on proestrus, preceding the preovulatory LH surge. No significant changes in the level of hypothalamic GnRH-R mRNA were detected, although fluctuations during the day of proestrus are evident. High pituitary GnRH mRNA was detected during the day of estrus, in the morning of diestrus 1, and at noon on proestrus. Pituitary GnRH-R displayed a similar pattern of expression, except on estrus, when its mRNA levels declined. Ovarian GnRH mRNA levels increased in the morning of diestrus 1 and early afternoon of proestrus. Here, too, GnRH-R displayed a somewhat similar pattern of expression to that of its ligand. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a GnRH expression pattern in the pituitary and ovary of any species. The different timings of the GnRH peaks in the three tissues imply differential tissue-specific regulation. We believe that the GnRH produced in the anterior pituitary and ovary could play a physiological role in the preparation of these organs for the midcycle gonadotropin surge and ovulation, respectively, possibly via local GnRH-gonadotropin axes.

scholarly journals Hypothalamic Molecular Changes Underlying Natural Reproductive Senescence in the Female Rat

Endocrinology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (9) ◽  
pp. 3597-3609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bailey A. Kermath ◽  
Penny D. Riha ◽  
Michael J. Woller ◽  
Andrew Wolfe ◽  
Andrea C. Gore
Keyword(s):  
Estrogen Receptor ◽  
Estrogen Receptor Α ◽  
Steroid Hormone Receptors ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Aged Rats ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Reproductive Senescence ◽  
Periventricular Nucleus

Abstract The role of the hypothalamus in female reproductive senescence is unclear. Here we identified novel molecular neuroendocrine changes during the natural progression from regular reproductive cycles to acyclicity in middle-aged female rats, comparable with the perimenopausal progression in women. Expression of 48 neuroendocrine genes was quantified within three hypothalamic regions: the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, the site of steroid positive feedback onto GnRH neurons; the arcuate nucleus (ARC), the site of negative feedback and pulsatile GnRH release; and the median eminence (ME), the site of GnRH secretion. Surprisingly, the majority of changes occurred in the ARC and ME, with few effects in anteroventral periventricular nucleus. The overall pattern was increased mRNA levels with chronological age and decreases with reproductive cycle status in middle-aged rats. Affected genes included transcription factors (Stat5b, Arnt, Ahr), sex steroid hormone receptors (Esr1, Esr2, Pgr, Ar), steroidogenic enzymes (Sts, Hsd17b8), growth factors (Igf1, Tgfa), and neuropeptides (Kiss1, Tac2, Gnrh1). Bionetwork analysis revealed region-specific correlations between genes and hormones. Immunohistochemical analyses of kisspeptin and estrogen receptor-α in the ARC demonstrated age-related decreases in kisspeptin cell numbers as well as kisspeptin-estrogen receptor-α dual-labeled cells. Taken together, these results identify unexpectedly strong roles for the ME and ARC during reproductive decline and highlight fundamental differences between middle-aged rats with regular cycles and all other groups. Our data provide evidence of decreased excitatory stimulation and altered hormone feedback with aging and suggest novel neuroendocrine pathways that warrant future study. Furthermore, these changes may impact other neuroendocrine systems that undergo functional declines with age.

scholarly journals Expression patterns of Arc mRNA after renewal of appetitive behavior in female rats.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily N Hilz ◽  
Laura A Agee ◽  
Donyun S Jun ◽  
Marie H Monfils ◽  
Hongjoo J Lee
Keyword(s):  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Neuronal Population ◽  
Extinction Training ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Appetitive Behavior ◽  
Neuronal Populations ◽  
Estrous Cycle Stage

Renewal of appetitive behavior depends on the gonadal hormonal state of the female rat. In this experiment the effect of female rat estrous cycle stage on renewal of appetitive behaviors is replicated and extended upon to understand how endogenous hormonal states around the estrous cycle drive renewal at the neuronal population level. Estrous cycle stage (i.e., proestrus (P, high hormone) or metestrus/diestrus (M/D, low hormone)) was considered during two important learning and behavioral expression windows: at extinction training and during LTM/renewal testing. First, rats in P during context-dependent extinction training but in some other stage of the estrous cycle during long-term memory and renewal testing (Different) were shown to exhibit more renewal of conditioned foodcup (but not conditioned orienting) behavior compared to rats in other estrous cycle groups. Next, cellular compartment analysis of temporal activity using fluorescence in situ hybridization (catFISH) was used to examine immediate early gene activity of Arc mRNA in neuronal populations after distinct context-stimulus exposures (i.e., extinction and acquisition test contexts). Arc mRNA expression patterns were examined in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), amygdala, hippocampus (HPC), and paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. P-different rats showed differential neuronal population activity in the infralimbic cortex of the PFC, the lateral amygdaloid nucleus, and both CA1 and CA3 regions of the dorsal HPC. In each region P-different rats exhibited more co-expression and less specificity of Arc mRNA compared to other hormonal groups, indicating that renewal of appetitive foodcup behavior induces Arc mRNA in overlapping neuronal populations in female rats.

The anorectic effect of fenfluramine is influenced by sex and stage of the estrous cycle in rats

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (6) ◽  
pp. R1486-R1491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. Eckel ◽  
Heidi M. Rivera ◽  
Deann P. D. Atchley
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Gonadal Hormone ◽  
Estrous Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Daily Food ◽  
Hormone Status ◽  
Anorectic Effect

The controls of food intake differ in male and female rats. Daily food intake is typically greater in male rats, relative to female rats, and a decrease in food intake, coincident with the estrous stage of the ovarian reproductive cycle, is well documented in female rats. This estrous-related decrease in food intake has been attributed to a transient increase in the female rat's sensitivity to satiety signals generated during feeding bouts. Here, we investigated whether sex or stage of the estrous cycle modulate the satiety signal generated by fenfluramine, a potent serotonin (5-HT) releasing agent. To examine this hypothesis, food intake was monitored in male, diestrous female, and estrous female rats after intraperitoneal injections of 0, 0.25, and 1.0 mg/kg d-fenfluramine. The lower dose of fenfluramine decreased food intake only in diestrous and estrous females, suggesting that the minimally effective anorectic dose of fenfluramine is lower in female rats, relative to male rats. Although the larger dose of fenfluramine decreased food intake in both sexes, the duration of anorexia was greater in diestrous and estrous female rats, relative to male rats. Moreover, the magnitude of the anorectic effect of the larger dose of fenfluramine was greatest in estrous rats, intermediate in diestrous rats, and least in male rats. Thus our findings indicate that the anorectic effect of fenfluramine is modulated by gonadal hormone status.

Interleukin-1 Receptor Type I mRNA Levels in Brain Regions From Male and Female Rats

1997 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 463-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Gayle ◽  
Sergey E. Ilyin ◽  
Carlos R. Plata-Salamán
Keyword(s):  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Receptor Type ◽  
Type I ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats

scholarly journals GDF-9 and BMP-15 mRNA Levels in Canine Cumulus Cells Related to Cumulus Expansion and the Maturation Process

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 462 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Ramirez ◽  
Jaime Palomino ◽  
Karla Aspee ◽  
Monica De los Reyes
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Cumulus Expansion ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Specific Regulation ◽  
Reproductive Phases

The competence to undergo expansion is a characteristic of cumulus cells (CCs). The aim was to investigate the expression of GDF-9 and BMP-15 mRNA in canine cumulus cells in relation to cumulus expansion and meiotic development over the estrous cycle. CCs were recovered from nonmatured and in vitro-matured (IVM) dog cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs), which were obtained from antral follicles at different phases of the estrous cycle. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) was used to evaluate the relative abundance of GDF-9 and BMP-15 transcripts from the CCs with or without signs of expansion. The results were evaluated by ANOVA and logistic regression. The maturity of the oocyte and the expansion process affected the mRNA levels in CCs. There were differences (p < 0.05) in GDF-9 and BMP-15 gene expression in CCs isolated from nonmatured COCs when comparing the reproductive phases. Lower mRNA levels (p < 0.05) were observed in anestrus and proestrus in comparison to those in estrus and diestrus. In contrast, when comparing GDF-9 mRNA levels in IVM COCs, no differences were found among the phases of the estrous cycle in expanded and nonexpanded CCs (p < 0.05). However, the highest (p < 0.05) BMP-15 gene expression in CCs that did not undergo expansion was exhibited in anestrus and the lowest (p < 0.05) expression was observed in estrus in expanded CCs. Although the stage of the estrous cycle did not affect the second metaphase (MII )rates, the expanded CCs obtained at estrus coexisted with higher percentages of MII (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the differential expression patterns of GDF-9 and BMP-15 mRNA transcripts might be related to cumulus expansion and maturation processes, suggesting specific regulation and temporal changes in their expression.

Postnatal Expression Patterns of Estrogen Receptor Subtypes and Choline Acetyltransferase in Different Regions of the Papez Circuit

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 203-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-xiang Wang ◽  
Lin Zhu ◽  
Li-xia Li ◽  
Hui-nan Xu ◽  
Hong-gang Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Estrogen Receptor ◽  
Choline Acetyltransferase ◽  
Brain Area ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Receptor Subtypes ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Papez Circuit ◽  
G Protein Coupled

The Papez circuit is crucial for several brain functions, including long-term memory and emotion. Estradiol modulates cognitive functions based on the expression pattern of its receptor subtypes including estrogen receptor (ER) α, β, and G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30). Similarly, the activity in the cholinergic system correlates with several brain functions, such as learning and memory. In this study, we used immunofluorescence to examine the expression patterns of ERβ and Western blotting to analyze GPR30 and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) expression, in different regions of the Papez circuit, including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, anterior nucleus of the thalamus, and cingulum in female rats at postnatal days (PND) 1, 10, and 56. Our main finding was that the highest expression of ERβ and GPR30 was noted in each brain area of the Papez circuit in the PND1 rats, whereas the expression of ChAT was the highest in PND10 rats. These results provide vital information on the postnatal expression patterns of ER subtypes and ChAT in different regions of the Papez circuit.

Stimulation of food intake and weight gain in mature female rats by bovine prolactin and bovine growth hormone

1993 ◽  
Vol 264 (6) ◽  
pp. E986-E992 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Byatt ◽  
N. R. Staten ◽  
W. J. Salsgiver ◽  
J. G. Kostelc ◽  
R. J. Collier
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Mature Female ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Bovine Growth Hormone ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Moisture Percentage

Recombinant bovine prolactin (rbPRL) or bovine growth hormone (rbGH) was administered to mature female rats (10/treatment group) by daily subcutaneous injection for 10 days. Doses ranged from 7 to 5,000 micrograms/day (0.03-24 mg/kg body wt). Both rbPRL and rbGH increased body weight gain and food intake, but these parameters were increased at lower doses of rbPRL (7-63 micrograms/day) than rbGH (> 190 micrograms/day). Weight gain and food intake were maximally stimulated by 190 micrograms/day rbPRL, whereas maximal increased weight gain was obtained with the highest dose of rbGH (5,000 micrograms/day). Total carcass protein was increased by both hormones; however, protein as a percentage of body weight was unchanged. Similarly, neither rbPRL nor rbGH changed the percentage of carcass moisture. Percentage of body fat was increased by rbPRL but was decreased by rbGH. Weight of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys was increased by both hormones, but increases were in proportion to body weight gain. These data confirm that ungulate prolactin is a hyperphagic agent in the female rat. In addition, they suggest that, while prolactin stimulates growth in mature female rats, this growth is probably not via a somatogenic mechanism.

scholarly journals Oleoylethanolamide decreases frustration stress-induced binge-like eating in female rats: a novel potential treatment for binge eating disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1931-1941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adele Romano ◽  
Maria Vittoria Micioni Di Bonaventura ◽  
Cristina Anna Gallelli ◽  
Justyna Barbara Koczwara ◽  
Dorien Smeets ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Binge Eating Disorder ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Palatable Food ◽  
Brain Areas

Abstract Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most frequent eating disorder, for which current pharmacotherapies show poor response rates and safety concerns, thus highlighting the need for novel treatment options. The lipid-derived messenger oleoylethanolamide (OEA) acts as a satiety signal inhibiting food intake through the involvement of central noradrenergic and oxytocinergic neurons. We investigated the anti-binge effects of OEA in a rat model of binge-like eating, in which, after cycles of intermittent food restrictions/refeeding and palatable food consumptions, female rats show a binge-like intake of palatable food, following a 15-min exposure to their sight and smell (“frustration stress”). Systemically administered OEA dose-dependently (2.5, 5, and 10 mg kg−1) prevented binge-like eating. This behavioral effect was associated with a decreased activation (measured by mapping the expression of c-fos, an early gene widely used as a marker of cellular activation) of brain areas responding to stress (such as the nucleus accumbens and amygdala) and to a stimulation of areas involved in the control of food intake, such as the VTA and the PVN. These effects were paralleled, also, to the modulation of monoamine transmission in key brain areas involved in both homeostatic and hedonic control of eating. In particular, a decreased dopaminergic response to stress was observed by measuring dopamine extracellular concentrations in microdialysates from the nucleus accumbens shell, whereas an increased serotonergic and noradrenergic tone was detected in tissue homogenates of selected brain areas. Finally, a decrease in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) mRNA levels was induced by OEA in the central amygdala, while an increase in oxytocin mRNA levels was induced in the PVN. The restoration of a normal oxytocin receptor density in the striatum paralleled the oxytocinergic stimulation produced by OEA. In conclusion, we provide evidence suggesting that OEA might represent a novel potential pharmacological target for the treatment of binge-like eating behavior.

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