Early-life nutrition modulates the development of the reproductive neuroendocrine system. In my webinar, I will discuss how nutrition during early development can program key cellular and molecular alterations in the hypothalamus and how those modifications can impact puberty and subsequent fertility in ruminants.
Series: Insights in Neuroendocrinology of Reproduction
Novel bidirectional pathways in the hypothalamic control of reproduction and metabolism
In this presentation I will be covering the novel pathways in which Kiss1 neurons participate in the bidirectional regulation of energy balance and reproduction. In particular, I will talk about novel transcription factors involved in this regulatory process and offer evidence supporting a role for Kiss1 neurons in the mediation of the reproductive and metabolic role of melanocortins.
Kisspeptin neurons and the circuits that control ovulation
In females, the mid-cycle surge in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion triggers ovulation. This neuroendocrine process is mediated by a population of neurons in the preoptic area that produce the neuropeptide kisspeptin and drive the activity of GnRH neurons for the surge. In female rodents, and possibly in other species, the preovulatory surge is timed to precede the onset of activity to ensure that ovulation coincides with sexual behavior. In this presentation, I will focus on the regulation of preoptic area kisspeptin neuron activity by the central circadian clock.
Mechanisms regulating GnRH neurons
The brain, it makes hormones with zeal.
The control of our gonads is real.
The cells they call candy,
Are certainly dandy.
But what about non-neural glia?