A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Beyond the brain-Peripheral kisspeptin signaling is essential for promoting endometrial gland development and function
Authors: Leon S, Fernadois D, Sull A, Sull J, Calder M, Hayashi K, Bhattacharya M, Power S, Vilos GA, Vilos AG, Tena-Sempere M, Babwah AV
Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
Publication year: 2016
Journal: Scientific Reports
Journal name in source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
Journal acronym: SCI REP-UK
Article number: ARTN 29073
Volume: 6
Number of pages: 16
ISSN: 2045-2322
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep29073
Abstract
Uterine growth and endometrial gland formation (adenogenesis) and function, are essential for fertility and are controlled by estrogens and other regulators, whose nature and physiological relevance are yet to be elucidated. Kisspeptin, which signals via Kiss1r, is essential for fertility, primarily through its central control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, but also likely through peripheral actions. Using genetically modified mice, we addressed the contributions of central and peripheral kisspeptin signaling in regulating uterine growth and adenogenesis. Global ablation of Kiss1 or Kiss1r dramatically suppressed uterine growth and almost fully prevented adenogenesis. However, while uterine growth was fully rescued by E2 treatment of Kiss1(-/-) mice and by genetic restoration of kisspeptin signaling in GnRH neurons in Kiss1r(-/-) mice, functional adenogenesis was only marginally restored. Thus, while uterine growth is largely dependent on ovarian E2-output via central kisspeptin signaling, peripheral kisspeptin signaling is indispensable for endometrial adenogenesis and function, essential aspects of reproductive competence.
Uterine growth and endometrial gland formation (adenogenesis) and function, are essential for fertility and are controlled by estrogens and other regulators, whose nature and physiological relevance are yet to be elucidated. Kisspeptin, which signals via Kiss1r, is essential for fertility, primarily through its central control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, but also likely through peripheral actions. Using genetically modified mice, we addressed the contributions of central and peripheral kisspeptin signaling in regulating uterine growth and adenogenesis. Global ablation of Kiss1 or Kiss1r dramatically suppressed uterine growth and almost fully prevented adenogenesis. However, while uterine growth was fully rescued by E2 treatment of Kiss1(-/-) mice and by genetic restoration of kisspeptin signaling in GnRH neurons in Kiss1r(-/-) mice, functional adenogenesis was only marginally restored. Thus, while uterine growth is largely dependent on ovarian E2-output via central kisspeptin signaling, peripheral kisspeptin signaling is indispensable for endometrial adenogenesis and function, essential aspects of reproductive competence.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |