Reproductive hormone secretion and spermatogenic function in thyroidectomized rams receiving graded doses of exogenous thyroxine

1986 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Chandrasekhar ◽  
M. J. D'Occhio ◽  
B. P. Setchell

ABSTRACT This study aimed to obtain a better understanding of the relationship between circulating thyroxine (T4) concentrations and reproductive endocrine function in the ram. Mature Merino rams were thyroidectomized and supplemented with 0, 30, 100 and 300% of normal T4 for 10 weeks. Thyroidectomy had no apparent effect on spermatogenic function but interfered with sperm maturation, the latter being returned to normal by 30% T4 replacement. Circulating testosterone levels were reduced by thyroidectomy and restored to control levels by 30% T4; when T4 levels were supranormal (300%), circulating testosterone levels were again reduced. The lowered circulating testosterone levels in thyroidectomized rams occurred as a result of suppressed testosterone secretion from the testis, observed under basal conditions and also following LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) and human chorionic gonadotrophin injection. In thyroidectomized rams, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were depressed without changes in testosterone clearance rate (TCR), while in rams with supranormal T4 levels, TCR was increased without changes in SHBG levels. Subnormal levels of T4 also restored to normal the reduced LH pulse frequency in thyroidectomized rams. Reduced LH pulse frequency, together with diminished LH release following LHRH injection in thyroidectomized rams, suggested effects of T4 at the hypothalamo-pituitary axis. The present study demonstrates that complete lack of thyroid hormones suppresses normal reproductive endocrine function in the ram, but that this can be restored to normal by 30% T4 replacement. The results support the theory that T4 plays a permissive rather than a regulatory role in reproductive function in males. J. Endocr. (1986) 111, 245–253

1982 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Higuchi ◽  
Masazumi Kawakami

Changes in the characteristics of LH secretory pulses in female rats were determined in different hormonal conditions; during the oestrous cycle and after ovariectomy and oestrogen treatment. The frequency and amplitude of the LH pulses were stable during the oestrous cycle except at oestrus when a pattern could not be discerned because of low LH concentrations. These were significantly lower than those measured during other stages of the cycle. Mean LH concentrations and LH pulse amplitudes increased with time up to 30 days after ovariectomy. The frequency of the LH pulse was unchanged 4 days after ovariectomy when mean LH levels had already increased. The frequency increased 10 days after ovariectomy and then remained stable in spite of a further increase in mean serum LH concentrations. Oestradiol-17β injected into ovariectomized rats caused a decrease in LH pulse amplitude but no change in pulse frequency. One day after treatment with oestradiol benzoate no LH pulse was detectable, probably because the amplitude was too small. A generator of pulsatile LH release is postulated and an oestrogen effect on its function is discussed.


1983 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. Koiter ◽  
G. C. J. van der Schaaf-Verdonk ◽  
H. Kuiper ◽  
N. Pols-Valkhof ◽  
G. A. Schuiling

The effects of steroid-free bovine follicular fluid (bFF) and sodium phenobarbitone on spontaneous LH releasing hormone (LHRH)-induced secretion of FSH and LH were studied in ovariectomized rats. Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone was administered by infusion to rats anaesthetized with phenobarbitone. Bovine follicular fluid reduced FSH release and synthesis. Luteinizing hormone release remained unaffected after bFF treatment. Phenobarbitone reduced both FSH and LH release. The observed suppressive effects of bFF and phenobarbitone on FSH secretion were additive, suggesting that the basal release of FSH has an LHRH-dependent and an LHRH-independent component. Furthermore, bFF did not affect pituitary responsiveness of LH secretion to LHRH and reduced the responsiveness of FSH secretion only when administered some time before the LHRH challenge. The present observations support the view that in the ovariectomized rat the pituitary gland is the only site of action of inhibin-like activity as present in bFF.


Endocrinology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 145 (10) ◽  
pp. 4558-4564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A. Dissen ◽  
Robert K. Dearth ◽  
H. Morgan Scott ◽  
Sergio R. Ojeda ◽  
W. Les Dees

Abstract We determined whether the effect of alcohol (ALC) to suppress LH secretion in immature female monkeys is due to a hypothalamic or pituitary site of action. Beginning at 20 months of age, four monkeys received a single intragastric dose of ALC (2.4 g/kg), and four monkeys received an equal volume of a saline/sucrose solution daily until they were 36 months old. For the hypothalamic response test, two basal samples (3.5 ml) were collected at 15-min intervals via the saphenous vein, and then N-methyl-d-l-aspartic acid (NMA; 20 mg/kg) was given iv and four more blood samples collected. Three weeks later, this protocol was repeated except LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) (5 μg/kg) was used to test pituitary responsiveness. NMA or LHRH was administered 3 h after the ALC. After the pituitary challenge, each monkey was ovariectomized and 6 wk later, implanted with an indwelling subclavian vein catheter. Blood samples were drawn every 10 min for 8 h to assess effects of ALC on post-ovariectomy LH levels and the profile of LH pulsatile secretion. The hypothalamic challenge showed NMA stimulated LH release in control monkeys, an action that was blocked by ALC. The pituitary challenge revealed that LHRH stimulated LH release equally well in control and ALC-treated monkeys. A post-ovariectomy rise in LH was observed in both groups, but levels were 45% lower in ALC-treated monkeys. This reduction was attributed to an ALC-induced suppression of both baseline and amplitude of pulses. Results demonstrate that the ALC-induced suppression of LH in immature female rhesus monkeys is due to an inhibitory action of the drug at the hypothalamic level.


Endocrinology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 146 (2) ◽  
pp. 784-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas R. Vulliémoz ◽  
Ennian Xiao ◽  
Linna Xia-Zhang ◽  
Sharon L. Wardlaw ◽  
Michel Ferin

Abstract Agouti-related peptide (AGRP), an endogenous melanocortin receptor antagonist, is a powerful orexigenic peptide when infused centrally. AGRP and neuropeptide Y (NPY), another orexigenic peptide, are colocated within the same neurons in the arcuate nucleus. Both NPY and AGRP mRNA expression increases during food restriction, a condition that is known to suppress the GnRH pulse generator and reproductive function. Although NPY has been shown previously to suppress LH secretion in the ovariectomized monkey, data on AGRP are lacking. In this study, we examined the effect of AGRP infusion into the third ventricle on pulsatile LH release in five adult monkeys. The 8-h protocol included a 3-h intraventricular saline infusion to establish baseline pulsatile LH release, followed by a 5-h infusion of AGRP (83–132) [5 μg/h (n = 1) or 10 μg/h (n = 4)]. In separate experiments, each animal received an 8-h saline treatment as a control. Blood samples were collected every 15 min for LH measurements. Cortisol levels were measured every 45 min. AGRP infusion significantly decreased LH pulse frequency (from a baseline of 0.74 ± 0.07 pulse/h to 0.36 ± 0.12 during AGRP infusion; P < 0.01) and mean LH concentrations (to 41.1 ± 7.5% of baseline by h 5 of AGRP infusion; P < 0.001). LH pulse amplitude was not modified by AGRP treatment. AGRP infusion also significantly increased cortisol release, as previously reported. The data demonstrate that central administration of AGRP inhibits pulsatile LH release in the monkey and suggest that AGRP, like NPY, may mediate the effect of a negative energy balance on the reproductive system by suppressing the GnRH pulse generator.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleisha M. Moore ◽  
Lique M. Coolen ◽  
Michael N. Lehman

Abstract Neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) that co-express kisspeptin, neurokinin B and dynorphin (KNDy cells) are essential for mammalian reproduction as key regulators of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Although multiple endogenous and exogenous signals act indirectly via KNDy neurons to regulate GnRH, the identity of upstream neurons that provide synaptic input to this subpopulation is unclear. We used rabies-mediated tract-tracing in transgenic Kiss1-Cre mice combined with whole-brain optical clearing and multiple-label immunofluorescence to create a comprehensive and quantitative brain-wide map of neurons providing monosynaptic input to KNDy cells, as well as identify the estrogen receptor content and peptidergic phenotype of afferents. Over 90% of monosynaptic input to KNDy neurons originated from hypothalamic nuclei in both male and female mice. The greatest input arose from non-KNDy ARC neurons, including proopiomelanocortin-expressing cells. Significant female-dominant sex differences in afferent input were detected from estrogen-sensitive hypothalamic nuclei critical for reproductive endocrine function and sexual behavior in mice, indicating KNDy cells may provide a unique site for the coordination of sex-specific behavior and gonadotropin release. These data provide key insight into the structural framework underlying the ability of KNDy neurons to integrate endogenous and environmental signals important for the regulation of reproductive function.


2008 ◽  
Vol 198 (2) ◽  
pp. 355-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
M P Di Yorio ◽  
M G Bilbao ◽  
M C Pustovrh ◽  
J P Prestifilippo ◽  
A G Faletti

To investigate the expression of leptin receptors (Ob-R) in the rat hypothalamus–pituitary–ovarian axis, immature rats were treated with eCG/hCG and Ob-R expression was evaluated by western blot analysis. The Ob-R expression increased 24 h after eCG administration in all the tissues assayed. In the hypothalamus, these levels immediately decreased to those obtained without treatment. In the pituitary, the Ob-R expression continued to be elevated 48 h after eCG administration, whereas the hCG injection did not modify these levels. Similar results were obtained with the ovarian long isoform. To assess the effect of leptin on its receptors, Ob-R was assessed in hypothalamus, pituitary and ovarian explants cultured in the presence or absence of leptin (0.3–500 ng/ml). In the hypothalamus, we found a biphasic effect: the Ob-R expression was either reduced or increased at low or high concentrations of leptin respectively. LH-releasing hormone secretion increased at 1 ng/ml. In the pituitary, Ob-R increased at 10 or 30 ng/ml of leptin for the long and short isoforms respectively. Leptin also induced an increase in LH release at 30 ng/ml. In the ovarian culture, the presence of leptin produced an increase in Ob-R expression at different ranges of concentrations and a dose-dependent biphasic effect on the progesterone production. In conclusion, all these results clearly suggest that leptin is able to modulate the expression of its own receptors in the reproductive axis in a differential way. Moreover, the positive or negative effect that leptin exerts on the ovulatory process may be dependent on this regulation.


Author(s):  
Mauritius Lambertus Edy Parwanto

Background: Testosterone levels in the circulation determined by production and secretion by Leydig cell in the testes. The action mechanism of testosterone to target cells mediated by sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). The levels of testosterone and SHBG in circulation determine men's health. The objective in this study to know the relationship between testosterone, SHBG and insulin with age in healthy Indonesian men residing in the special capital province of Jakarta, Indonesia.Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study involving 250 healthy Indonesian men residing in the special capital province of Jakarta, Indonesia. Consecutive sampling was done in this study. Testosterone, SHBG and insulin in the serum were measured by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). Glucose, triglycerides and albumin were measured using a spectrophotometer. Regression analysis was done to know the correlation between testosterone, SHBG and insulin with age.Results: The levels of TT, free testosterone (FT), SHBG and percentage of free testosterone (%FT) in healthy Indonesian men were negatively correlated with age (p<0.05). Free testosterone index (FTI) and insulin are not correlated with age (p>0.05). The levels of SHBG, FT, %FT and FTI were correlated positively with TT (p<0.05), but insulin did not correlate with TT (p>0.05). The %FT and FTI were positively correlated with FT (p<0.05), but SHBG and insulin levels did not correlate with FT (p>0.05). SHBG levels are not correlated with insulin (p>0.05). The rate of decline in TT levels in this study 9.8% per decade, while in SHBG levels 8.19% per decade.Conclusions: The levels of TT, FT, % FT and SHBG in this study were negatively correlated with age, but the FTI and insulin did not correlate with age. The rate of decline in TT levels in this study 9.8% per decade, while in SHBG levels 8.19% per decade.


1985 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. J. Lengyel ◽  
A. Grossman ◽  
P.-M. G. Bouloux ◽  
L. H. Rees ◽  
G. M. Besser

ABSTRACT Dopamine and morphine modulate GH and LH release, probably at a hypothalamic locus. To investigate this in more detail, we studied the influence of these substances on somatostatin and LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) release from rat hypothalamic fragments in vitro. Hypothalamic fragments were incubated in Earle's medium. After 60 min of preincubation, medium from two 20-min incubations was collected and somatostatin and LHRH levels measured by radioimmunoassay. Dopamine (10 nmol/l–0·1 mmol/l) induced a progressive increase (r = 0·41; P <0·01) in basal somatostatin levels. K + (30 mmol/l)-induced somatostatin release was also increased (r = 0·54; P <0·01) by increasing doses of dopamine. Metoclopramide (10 μmol/l) blocked the dopamine (1 μmol/l)-induced increase in somatostatin release. No significant relationship between dopamine and LHRH was found either basally or after K + (30 mmol/l) stimulation. Basal somatostatin was negatively correlated (r = −0·63; P <0·01) with morphine concentrations. No significant correlation was found after K+ (30 mmol/l) depolarization. Basal LHRH release was not influenced by morphine, while K +(30 mmol/l)-induced release was significantly lower than controls only at a concentration of 10 nmol/l. These results suggest that dopamine and morphine act at a hypothalamic level to modulate GH release through alterations in somatostatin secretion. Dopamine and morphine have no consistent effect on hypothalamic LHRH release. J. Endocr. (1985) 106, 317–322


1999 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis G. Villa-Diaz ◽  
Graham K. Barrell

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether serotoninergic pathways, which are implicated in the neuroendocrine regulation of luteininzing hormone (LH) secretion in domestic animals, have a similar action in red deer hinds. In the non-breeding season (August), ovariectomized (n =5) and ovariectomized-thyroidectomized (n =5) hinds received a vehicle solution followed 4 h later by either serotonin (66 µg kg–1 i.v.) every 10 min for a further 4 h or the serotonin antagonist, cyproheptadine (3 mg kg–1 i.v.) as a single injection. This procedure was repeated in the breeding season (June). In the non-breeding season serotonin was without effect, but cyproheptadine reduced LH pulse frequency and amplitude in ovariectomized-thyroidectomized hinds (P<0.01). During the breeding season, serotonin reduced LH pulse amplitude in ovariectomized hinds (P<0.05) and cyproheptadine reduced LH pulse frequency in both ovariectomized and ovariectomized–thyroidectomized hinds (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). On each occasion, cyproheptadine increased (P<0.01) plasma prolactin concentration, whereas serotonin had no effect. These results indicate a stimulatory role for serotoninergic neurons on the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator mechanism of red deer hinds during the breeding season. In a second experiment, the LH response to GnRH (5 µg i.v.) was examined in ovariectomized hinds (n = 5) following administration of a serotonin infusion (6.6 µg kg–1 min–1 i.v. for 15 min), cyproheptadine (3 mg kg–1 i.v. as a single dose) or vehicle, in the breeding season (July) after induction of halothane anaesthesia and in the non-breeding season (December) without anaesthesia. Halothane anaesthesia eliminated endogenous pulses of LH. In comparison with the vehicle-treated controls, the response of plasma LH to exogenous GnRH was not altered by serotonin or cyproheptadine in either season, which shows that serotonin has no effect on LH release at the pituitary gland level in these animals. It was concluded that in the regulation of LH release in red deer hinds, serotoninergic pathways have a stimulatory role operating at the hypothalamic level.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 4849
Author(s):  
Couvineau Alain ◽  
Nicole Pascal ◽  
Gratio Valérie ◽  
Voisin Thierry

Over 20 years ago, orexin neuropeptides (Orexin-A/hypocretin-1 and Orexin-B/hypocretins-2) produced from the same precursor in hypothalamus were identified. These two neurotransmitters and their receptors (OX1R and OX1R), present in the central and peripheral nervous system, play a major role in wakefulness but also in drug addiction, food consumption, homeostasis, hormone secretion, reproductive function, lipolysis and blood pressure regulation. With respect to these biological functions, orexins were involved in various pathologies encompassing narcolepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, chronic inflammations, metabolic syndrome and cancers. The expression of OX1R in various cancers including colon, pancreas and prostate cancers associated with its ability to induce a proapoptotic activity in tumor cells, suggested that the orexins/OX1R system could have a promising therapeutic role. The present review summarizes the relationship between cancers and orexins/OX1R system as an emerging target.


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