Research article summary (published 27 Feb 2009):

A new key neurohormone controlling reproduction, gonadotrophin-inhibitory hormone in birds: discovery, progress and prospects.

Full Abstract

In vertebrates, the neuropeptide control of gonadotrophin secretion is primarily through the stimulatory action of the hypothalamic decapeptide, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Gonadal sex steroids and inhibin inhibit gonadotrophin secretion via feedback from the gonads, but a hypothalamic neuropeptide inhibiting gonadotrophin secretion was, until recently, unknown in vertebrates. In 2000, we discovered a novel hypothalamic dodecapeptide that directly inhibits gonadotrophin release in quail and termed it gonadotrophin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH). GnIH acts on the pituitary and GnRH neurones in the hypothalamus via a novel G-protein-coupled receptor for GnIH to inhibit gonadal development and maintenance by decreasing gonadotrophin release and synthesis. The pineal hormone melatonin is a key factor controlling GnIH neural function. GnIH occurs in the hypothalamus of several avian species and is considered to be a new key neurohormone inhibiting avian reproduction. Thus, the discovery of GnIH provides novel directions to investigate neuropeptide regulation of reproduction. This review summarises the discovery, progress and prospects of GnIH, a new key neurohormone controlling reproduction.

Author information

Author/s: Tsutsui, K (K); Saigoh, E (E); Yin, H (H); Ubuka, T (T); Chowdhury, V S (VS); Osugi, T (T); Ukena, K (K); Sharp, P J (PJ); Wingfield, J C (JC); Bentley, G E (GE);

Affiliation: Department of Biology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan. k-tsutsui(-atsign-)waseda.jp

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Journal of neuroendocrinology (J Neuroendocrinol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Mar; vol 21 (issue 4) : pp 271-5

Dates: Created 2009/04/09; Completed 2009/08/10;

PMID: 19207818, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 8/21/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Animals Avian Proteins - isolation & purification; metabolism Birds Coturnix Gonadotropins - metabolism Gonads - growth & development Hypothalamic Hormones - isolation & purification; metabolism

Hypothalamic Hormones - isolation & purification; metabolism Hypothalamus - metabolism Melatonin - metabolism Neurons - metabolism Pituitary Gland - metabolism Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - metabolism Reproduction - physiology

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

Associated Chemicals: Avian Proteins (0) ; Gonadotropins (0) ; Hypothalamic Hormones (0) ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled (0) ; gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone, Coturnix japonica (0) ; Melatonin (73-31-4)

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