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Bertho S, Neyroud AS, Brun T, Jaillard S, Bonnet F, Ravel C. Anti-Müllerian hormone: A function beyond the Müllerian structures. Morphologie 2021; 106:252-259. [PMID: 34924282 DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein belonging to the TGFb superfamily implicated in human embryonic development. This hormone was first described as allowing regression of the epithelial embryonic Müllerian structures in males, which would otherwise differentiate into the uterus and fallopian tubes. It activates a signaling pathway mediated by two transmembrane receptors. Binding of AMH to its receptor induces morphological changes leading to the degeneration of Müllerian ducts. Recently, new data has shown the role played by this hormone on structures other than the genital tract. If testicular AMH expression decreases in humans over the course of a lifetime, synthesis may persist in other tissues in adulthood. The mechanisms underlying its production have been unveiled. The aim of this review is to describe the different pathways in which AMH has been identified and plays a pivotal role.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bertho
- CHU Rennes, Département de Gynécologie-Obstétrique-Reproduction-CECOS, 35000 Rennes, France.
| | - A S Neyroud
- CHU Rennes, Département de Gynécologie-Obstétrique-Reproduction-CECOS, 35000 Rennes, France; Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - T Brun
- CHU Rennes, Département de Gynécologie-Obstétrique-Reproduction-CECOS, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - S Jaillard
- CHU Rennes, Département de Gynécologie-Obstétrique-Reproduction-CECOS, 35000 Rennes, France; Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - F Bonnet
- CHU Rennes, Service d'Endocrinologie, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - C Ravel
- CHU Rennes, Département de Gynécologie-Obstétrique-Reproduction-CECOS, 35000 Rennes, France; Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000 Rennes, France
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Tsukahara S, Morishita M. Sexually Dimorphic Formation of the Preoptic Area and the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis by Neuroestrogens. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:797. [PMID: 32848568 PMCID: PMC7403479 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular androgens during the perinatal period play an important role in the sexual differentiation of the brain of rodents. Testicular androgens transported into the brain act via androgen receptors or are the substrate of aromatase, which synthesizes neuroestrogens that act via estrogen receptors. The latter that occurs in the perinatal period significantly contributes to the sexual differentiation of the brain. The preoptic area (POA) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) are sexually dimorphic brain regions that are involved in the regulation of sex-specific social behaviors and the reproductive neuroendocrine system. Here, we discuss how neuroestrogens of testicular origin act in the perinatal period to organize the sexually dimorphic structures of the POA and BNST. Accumulating data from rodent studies suggest that neuroestrogens induce the sex differences in glial and immune cells, which play an important role in the sexually dimorphic formation of the dendritic synapse patterning in the POA, and induce the sex differences in the cell number of specific neuronal cell groups in the POA and BNST, which may be established by controlling the number of cells dying by apoptosis or the phenotypic organization of living cells. Testicular androgens in the peripubertal period also contribute to the sexual differentiation of the POA and BNST, and thus their aromatization to estrogens may be unnecessary. Additionally, we discuss the notion that testicular androgens that do not aromatize to estrogens can also induce significant effects on the sexually dimorphic formation of the POA and BNST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Tsukahara
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masahiro Morishita
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
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3
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Morishita M, Koiso R, Tsukahara S. Actions of Peripubertal Gonadal Steroids in the Formation of Sexually Dimorphic Brain Regions in Mice. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5821543. [PMID: 32303738 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The calbindin-sexually dimorphic nucleus (CALB-SDN) and calbindin-principal nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (CALB-BNSTp) show male-biased sex differences in calbindin neuron number. The ventral part of the BNSTp (BNSTpv) exhibits female-biased sex differences in noncalbindin neuron number. We previously reported that prepubertal gonadectomy disrupts the masculinization of the CALB-SDN and CALB-BNSTp and the feminization of the BNSTpv. This study aimed to determine the action mechanisms of testicular androgens on the masculinization of the CALB-SDN and CALB-BNSTp and whether ovarian estrogens are the hormones that have significant actions in the feminization of the BNSTpv. We performed immunohistochemical analyses of calbindin and NeuN, a neuron marker, in male mice orchidectomized on postnatal day 20 (PD20) and treated with cholesterol, testosterone, estradiol, or dihydrotestosterone during PD20-70, female mice ovariectomized on PD20 and treated with cholesterol or estradiol during PD20-70, and PD70 mice gonadectomized on PD56. Calbindin neurons number in the CALB-SDN and CALB-BNSTp in males treated with testosterone or dihydrotestosterone, but not estradiol, was significantly larger than that in cholesterol-treated males. Noncalbindin neuron number in the BNSTpv in estradiol-treated females was significantly larger than that in cholesterol-treated females. Gonadectomy on PD56 had no significant effect on neuron numbers. Additionally, an immunohistochemical analysis revealed the expression of androgen receptors in the CALB-SDN and CALB-BNSTp of PD30 males and estrogen receptors-α in the BNSTpv of PD30 females. These results suggest that peripubertal testicular androgens act to masculinize the CALB-SDN and CALB-BNSTp without aromatization, and peripubertal ovarian estrogens act to feminize the BNSTpv.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Morishita
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ryoma Koiso
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shinji Tsukahara
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
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4
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Martinez ME, Lary CW, Karaczyn AA, Griswold MD, Hernandez A. Spermatogonial Type 3 Deiodinase Regulates Thyroid Hormone Target Genes in Developing Testicular Somatic Cells. Endocrinology 2019; 160:2929-2945. [PMID: 31621880 PMCID: PMC6853691 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Premature overexposure to thyroid hormone causes profound effects on testis growth, spermatogenesis, and male fertility. We used genetic mouse models of type 3 deiodinase (DIO3) deficiency to determine the genetic programs affected by premature thyroid hormone action and to define the role of DIO3 in regulating thyroid hormone economy in testicular cells. Gene expression profiling in the neonatal testis of DIO3-deficient mice identified 5699 differentially expressed genes. Upregulated and downregulated genes were, respectively, involved according to DAVID analysis with cell differentiation and proliferation. They included anti-Müllerian hormone and genes involved in the formation of the blood-testis barrier, which are specific to Sertoli cells (SCs). They also included steroidogenic genes, which are specific to Leydig cells. Comparison with published data sets of genes enriched in SCs and spermatogonia, and responsive to retinoic acid (RA), identified a subset of genes that were regulated similarly by RA and thyroid hormone. This subset of genes showed an expression bias, as they were downregulated when enriched in spermatogonia and upregulated when enriched in SCs. Furthermore, using a genetic approach, we found that DIO3 is not expressed in SCs, but spermatogonia-specific inactivation of DIO3 led to impaired testis growth, reduced SC number, decreased cell proliferation and, especially during neonatal development, altered gene expression specific to somatic cells. These findings indicate that spermatogonial DIO3 protects testicular cells from untimely thyroid hormone signaling and demonstrate a mechanism of cross-talk between somatic and germ cells in the neonatal testis that involves the regulation of thyroid hormone availability and action.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Elena Martinez
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Maine Medical Center, Scarborough, Maine
| | - Christine W Lary
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Maine Medical Center, Scarborough, Maine
- Graduate School for Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Aldona A Karaczyn
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Maine Medical Center, Scarborough, Maine
| | - Michael D Griswold
- School for Molecular Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Arturo Hernandez
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Maine Medical Center, Scarborough, Maine
- Graduate School for Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Correspondence: Arturo Hernandez, PhD, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, Maine 04074. E-mail:
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Ogawa S, Tsukahara S, Choleris E, Vasudevan N. Estrogenic regulation of social behavior and sexually dimorphic brain formation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 110:46-59. [PMID: 30392880 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It has long been known that the estrogen, 17β-estradiol (17β-E), plays a central role for female reproductive physiology and behavior. Numerous studies have established the neurochemical and molecular basis of estrogenic induction of female sexual behavior, i.e., lordosis, in animal models. In addition, 17β-E also regulates male-type sexual and aggressive behavior. In males, testosterone secreted from the testes is irreversibly aromatized to 17β-E in the brain. We discuss the contribution of two nuclear receptor isoforms, estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ to the estrogenic regulation of sexually dimorphic brain formation and sex-typical expression of these social behaviors. Furthermore, 17β-E is a key player for social behaviors such as social investigation, preference, recognition and memory as well as anxiety-related behaviors in social contexts. Recent studies also demonstrated that not only nuclear receptor-mediated genomic signaling but also membrane receptor-mediated non-genomic actions of 17β-E may underlie the regulation of these behaviors. Finally, we will discuss how rapidly developing research tools and ideas allow us to investigate estrogenic action by emphasizing behavioral neural networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonoko Ogawa
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, 305-8577, Japan.
| | - Shinji Tsukahara
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama City, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Nandini Vasudevan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, WhiteKnights Campus, Reading, RG6 6AS, United Kingdom
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Yang Y, Workman S, Wilson M. The molecular pathways underlying early gonadal development. J Mol Endocrinol 2018; 62:JME-17-0314. [PMID: 30042122 DOI: 10.1530/jme-17-0314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The body of knowledge surrounding reproductive development spans the fields of genetics, anatomy, physiology and biomedicine, to build a comprehensive understanding of the later stages of reproductive development in humans and animal models. Despite this, there remains much to learn about the bi-potential progenitor structure that the ovary and testis arise from, known as the genital ridge (GR). This tissue forms relatively late in embryonic development and has the potential to form either the ovary or testis, which in turn produce hormones required for development of the rest of the reproductive tract. It is imperative that we understand the genetic networks underpinning GR development if we are to begin to understand abnormalities in the adult. This is particularly relevant in the contexts of disorders of sex development (DSDs) and infertility, two conditions that many individuals struggle with worldwide, with often no answers as to their aetiology. Here, we review what is known about the genetics of GR development. Investigating the genetic networks required for GR formation will not only contribute to our understanding of the genetic regulation of reproductive development, it may in turn open new avenues of investigation into reproductive abnormalities and later fertility issues in the adult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisheng Yang
- Y Yang, Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Megan Wilson
- M Wilson , Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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McLennan IS, Koishi K, Batchelor NJ, Pankhurst MW. Mice with either diminished or elevated levels of anti-Müllerian hormone have decreased litter sizes†. Biol Reprod 2017; 98:54-62. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Morishita M, Maejima S, Tsukahara S. Gonadal Hormone-Dependent Sexual Differentiation of a Female-Biased Sexually Dimorphic Cell Group in the Principal Nucleus of the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis in Mice. Endocrinology 2017; 158:3512-3525. [PMID: 28977609 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We recently reported a female-biased sexually dimorphic area in the mouse brain in the boundary region between the preoptic area and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). We reexamined this area and found that it is a ventral part of the principal nucleus of the BNST (BNSTp). The BNSTp is a male-biased sexually dimorphic nucleus, but the ventral part of the BNSTp (BNSTpv) exhibits female-biased sex differences in volume and neuron number. The volume and neuron number of the BNSTpv were increased in males by neonatal orchiectomy and decreased in females by treatment with testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or estradiol within 5 days after birth. Sex differences in the volume and neuron number of the BNSTpv emerged before puberty. These sex differences became prominent in adulthood with increasing volume in females and loss of neurons in males during the pubertal/adolescent period. Prepubertal orchiectomy did not affect the BNSTpv, although prepubertal ovariectomy reduced the volume increase and induced loss of neurons in the female BNSTpv. In contrast, the volume and neuron number of male-biased sexually dimorphic nuclei that are composed of mainly calbindin neurons and are located in the preoptic area and BNST were decreased by prepubertal orchiectomy but not affected by prepubertal ovariectomy. Testicular testosterone during the postnatal period may defeminize the BNSTpv via binding directly to the androgen receptor and indirectly to the estrogen receptor after aromatization, although defeminization may proceed independently of testicular hormones in the pubertal/adolescent period. Ovarian hormones may act to feminize the BNSTpv during the pubertal/adolescent period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Morishita
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Sho Maejima
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Shinji Tsukahara
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
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Morgan K, Ruffman T, Bilkey DK, McLennan IS. Circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) associates with the maturity of boys' drawings: Does AMH slow cognitive development in males? Endocrine 2017; 57:528-534. [PMID: 28593614 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-017-1333-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE High levels of circulating anti-Müllerian hormone are unique to developing males, but the function of anti-Müllerian hormone in boys is unknown. In mice, anti-Müllerian hormone contributes to the male biases in the brain, but its receptors are present throughout non-sexually dimorphic portions of the brain. In humans, the speed of maturation is the most overt difference between girls and boys. We postulate that this is because anti-Müllerian hormone slows the maturation of the male human brain. METHODS One hundred and fourty three 5-year or 6-year-old boys and 38 age-matched girls drew a person and donated a blood sample. The children's drawings were blind-scored to generate a maturity index. The level of anti-Müllerian hormone and the other Sertoli cell hormone, inhibin B, were measured by ELISA. The relationship between the children's age, hormones and maturity index were examined by linear regression analysis. RESULTS The girls drew more complex and realistic person than the boys (32%, p = 0.001), with their drawings also being larger (39%, p = 0.037) and more coloured-in (235%, p = 0.0005). The maturity index in boys correlated with age (+r = 0.43, p < 0.0005) and anti-Müllerian hormone level (-r = -0.29, p < 0.0005). The association between maturity index and anti-Müllerian hormone level persisted when corrected for age and for inhibin B (r = -0.24, p = 0.0005). The calculated effect of the median level of anti-Müllerian hormone (1 nM) was equal to 0.81 months of development. The size and colouring of the drawings did not correlate with the boys' age, anti-Müllerian hormone or inhibin B. CONCLUSIONS This exploratory study provides the first indicative evidence that circulating anti-Müllerian hormone may influence the development of the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstie Morgan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ted Ruffman
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - David K Bilkey
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
- Brain Health Research Centre, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ian S McLennan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.
- Brain Health Research Centre, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Kawagishi Y, Pankhurst MW, Nakatani Y, McLennan IS. Anti-Müllerian hormone signaling is influenced by Follistatin 288, but not 14 other transforming growth factor beta superfamily regulators. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:626-637. [PMID: 28500669 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The hypothesis that, in contrast to other transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) superfamily ligands, the dose-response curve of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is unmodulated was tested by examining whether known TGFB superfamily modulators affect AMH signaling, using a P19/BRE luciferase reporter assay. AMHC and AMHN,C activated the reporter with an EC50 of approximately 0.5 nM. Follistatins (FS) produced concentration-dependent increases in AMHC - and AMHN,C -initiated reporter activity, with FS288 being more potent than FS315; however, the maximum bioactivity of AMH was not altered by either follistatin. Thirteen other TGFβ regulators (Chordin, Chordin-like 1, Chordin-like 2, Differential screening-selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma [DAN], Decorin, Endoglin, Follistatin-like 1, Follistatin-like 3, Follistatin-like 4, Noggin, α2 macroglobulin, TGFβ receptor 3, Von Willebrand factor C domain-containing 2) had little or no effect. Surface plasmon resonance analysis showed no significant association between FS288 and AMHC , suggesting that FS288 indirectly regulates AMH signaling. Activin A, a direct target of FS288, did not itself induce reporter activity in P19 cells, but did prevent the FS288-induced increase in AMH signaling. Hence, local concentrations of FS288 and Activin A may influence the response of some cell types to AMH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yui Kawagishi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Michael W Pankhurst
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yoshio Nakatani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ian S McLennan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Garrel G, Racine C, L'Hôte D, Denoyelle C, Guigon CJ, di Clemente N, Cohen-Tannoudji J. [Anti-Müllerian hormone: a new regulator of pituitary gonadotrope cells. Involvement in sexual dimorphism of gonadotrope activity before puberty]. Med Sci (Paris) 2017; 32:1076-1078. [PMID: 28044970 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20163212010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ghislaine Garrel
- Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie fonctionnelle et adaptative (BFA), Bâtiment A Buffon, 4, rue MA Lagroua Weill-Hallé, F-75013 Paris, France - CNRS UMR 8251, Paris, France - Inserm U1133, Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope, Paris, France
| | - Chrystèle Racine
- Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie fonctionnelle et adaptative (BFA), Bâtiment A Buffon, 4, rue MA Lagroua Weill-Hallé, F-75013 Paris, France - CNRS UMR 8251, Paris, France - Inserm U1133, Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope, Paris, France
| | - David L'Hôte
- Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie fonctionnelle et adaptative (BFA), Bâtiment A Buffon, 4, rue MA Lagroua Weill-Hallé, F-75013 Paris, France - CNRS UMR 8251, Paris, France - Inserm U1133, Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope, Paris, France
| | - Chantal Denoyelle
- Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie fonctionnelle et adaptative (BFA), Bâtiment A Buffon, 4, rue MA Lagroua Weill-Hallé, F-75013 Paris, France - CNRS UMR 8251, Paris, France - Inserm U1133, Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope, Paris, France
| | - Céline J Guigon
- Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie fonctionnelle et adaptative (BFA), Bâtiment A Buffon, 4, rue MA Lagroua Weill-Hallé, F-75013 Paris, France - CNRS UMR 8251, Paris, France - Inserm U1133, Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie di Clemente
- Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie fonctionnelle et adaptative (BFA), Bâtiment A Buffon, 4, rue MA Lagroua Weill-Hallé, F-75013 Paris, France - CNRS UMR 8251, Paris, France - Inserm U1133, Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope, Paris, France
| | - Joëlle Cohen-Tannoudji
- Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie fonctionnelle et adaptative (BFA), Bâtiment A Buffon, 4, rue MA Lagroua Weill-Hallé, F-75013 Paris, France - CNRS UMR 8251, Paris, France - Inserm U1133, Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope, Paris, France
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Moe Y, Kyi-Tha-Thu C, Tanaka T, Ito H, Yahashi S, Matsuda KI, Kawata M, Katsuura G, Iwashige F, Sakata I, Akune A, Inui A, Sakai T, Ogawa S, Tsukahara S. A Sexually Dimorphic Area of the Dorsal Hypothalamus in Mice and Common Marmosets. Endocrinology 2016; 157:4817-4828. [PMID: 27726418 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
We found a novel sexually dimorphic area (SDA) in the dorsal hypothalamus (DH) of mice. The SDA-DH was sandwiched between 2 known male-biased sexually dimorphic nuclei, the principal nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the calbindin-sexually dimorphic nucleus, and exhibited a female-biased sex difference in neuronal cell density. The density of neurons in the SDA-DH was increased in male mice by orchidectomy on the day of birth and decreased in female mice by treatment with testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or estradiol within 5 days after birth. These findings indicate that the SDA-DH is defeminized under the influence of testicular testosterone, which acts via both directly by binding to the androgen receptor, and indirectly by binding to the estrogen receptor after aromatization. We measured the activity of SDA-DH neurons with c-Fos, a neuronal activity marker, in female mice during maternal and sexual behaviors. The number of c-Fos-expressing neurons in the SDA-DH of female mice was negatively correlated with maternal behavior performance. However, the number of c-Fos-expressing neurons did not change during female sexual behavior. These findings suggest that the SDA-DH contains a neuronal cell population, the activity of which decreases in females exhibiting higher performance of maternal behavior, but it may contribute less to female sexual behavior. Additionally, we examined the brain of common marmosets and found an area that appears to be homologous with the mouse SDA-DH. The sexually dimorphic structure identified in this study is not specific to mice and may be found in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadanar Moe
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Chaw Kyi-Tha-Thu
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Tomoko Tanaka
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Hiroto Ito
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Satowa Yahashi
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Matsuda
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Kawata
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Goro Katsuura
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Fumihiro Iwashige
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Ichiro Sakata
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Atsushi Akune
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Akio Inui
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Takafumi Sakai
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Sonoko Ogawa
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Shinji Tsukahara
- Division of Life Science (Y.M., C.K.-T.-T., T.T., H.I., I.S., T.S., S.T.), Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Drug Safety Research Laboratories (S.Y., F.I., A.A.), Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd, Kagoshima 891-1394, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology (K.-I.M., M.K.), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (G.K., A.I.), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; and Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (S.O.), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
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13
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Pankhurst MW, Chong YH, McLennan IS. Relative levels of the proprotein and cleavage-activated form of circulating human anti-Müllerian hormone are sexually dimorphic and variable during the life cycle. Physiol Rep 2016; 4:4/9/e12783. [PMID: 27147497 PMCID: PMC4873634 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a gonadal hormone, which induces aspects of the male phenotype, and influences ovarian follicular recruitment. AMH is synthesized as a proprotein (proAMH), which is incompletely cleaved to the receptor‐competent AMHN,C. AMH ELISAs have not distinguished between proAMH and AMHN,C; consequently, the physiological ranges of circulating proAMH and AMHN,C are unknown. A novel proAMH ELISA has been used to assay serum proAMH in humans. Total AMH was also measured, enabling the AMHN,C concentration to be calculated. Stored serum from 131 boys, 80 younger, and 106 older men were examined, with serum from 14 girls and 18 women included for comparison. The mean levels of proAMH and AMHN,C in pM were respectively: boys (253, 526), men (7.7, 36), elderly men (5.7, 19), girls (3.3, 15), and women (5.2, 27) (boys vs. men, P < 0.001; girls vs. women, P = 0.032). The proportion of proAMH as a percentage of total AMH (API) was approximately twofold higher in boys than men (P < 0.001) with little overlap between the ranges, with girls also exhibiting lesser cleavage of their AMH than women (P < 0.001). The API varied within each population group. In young men, the API did not correlate with circulating levels of the other testicular hormones (testosterone, InhB, and INSL3). In conclusion, the cleavage of circulating AMH varies extensively within the human population, with most individuals having significant levels of proAMH. The physiological and clinical relevance of circulating proAMH needs to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Pankhurst
- Department of Anatomy, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yih Harng Chong
- Department of Anatomy, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Department of Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ian S McLennan
- Department of Anatomy, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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14
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Pankhurst MW, Leathart BLA, Batchelor NJ, McLennan IS. The Anti-Müllerian Hormone Precursor (proAMH) Is Not Converted to the Receptor-Competent Form (AMHN,C) in the Circulating Blood of Mice. Endocrinology 2016; 157:1622-9. [PMID: 26828745 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a gonadal hormone that regulates aspects of male sexual differentiation and ovarian function. AMH is synthesized as the AMH proprotein precursor (proAMH), which is converted to a receptor-binding form (AMHN,C) by proteolytic cleavage. ProAMH appears to be the predominant species in the ovary, whereas AMHN,C is the prevalent form in circulation. The aim of this study was to determine whether cleavage of proAMH occurs before it is released from the gonad or while in circulation. The individual half-lives of the proAMH and AMHN,C were also determined, as this has important implications for understanding the mechanisms of AMH signaling. Recombinant human (rh)-proAMH or rh-AMHN,C was injected iv into mice. AMH levels were analyzed in a series of repeated blood samples using an assay that detects human, but not murine, AMH. The degree of cleavage of injected proAMH was assessed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. The elimination half-life curves were biphasic. The fast-phase elimination was estimated at 6 and 11 minutes for rh-proAMH and rh-AMHN,C, respectively. The slow-phase half-life estimates were 2.4 and 3.8 hours for rh-proAMH and rh-AMHN,C, respectively. Immunoprecipitation of rh-proAMH 1 hour after injection determined that no detectable conversion of proAMH to AMHN,C was occurring in circulation. The data suggest that the ratio of proAMH to AMHN,C in the circulation is not altered after it is released from the gonads and that the levels of these 2 circulating forms are likely to reflect AMH activity in the gonad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Pankhurst
- Department of Anatomy (M.W.P., B.-L.A.L., N.J.B., I.S.M.), University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand; and Brain Health Research Centre (I.S.M.), University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Brandi-Lee A Leathart
- Department of Anatomy (M.W.P., B.-L.A.L., N.J.B., I.S.M.), University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand; and Brain Health Research Centre (I.S.M.), University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Nicola J Batchelor
- Department of Anatomy (M.W.P., B.-L.A.L., N.J.B., I.S.M.), University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand; and Brain Health Research Centre (I.S.M.), University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ian S McLennan
- Department of Anatomy (M.W.P., B.-L.A.L., N.J.B., I.S.M.), University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand; and Brain Health Research Centre (I.S.M.), University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
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15
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Anti-Müllerian hormone: a new actor of sexual dimorphism in pituitary gonadotrope activity before puberty. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23790. [PMID: 27030385 PMCID: PMC4815011 DOI: 10.1038/srep23790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) contributes to male sexual differentiation and acts on gonads of both sexes. Identification of AMH receptivity in both pituitary and brain has led to the intriguing idea that AMH participates to the hypothalamic-pituitary control of reproduction, however in vivo experimental evidence is still lacking. We show that AMH stimulates secretion and pituitary gene expression of the gonadotropin FSH in vivo in rats. AMH action is sex-dependent, being restricted to females and occurring before puberty. Accordingly, we report higher levels of pituitary AMH receptor transcripts in immature females. We show that AMH is functionally coupled to the Smad pathway in LβT2 gonadotrope cells and dose-dependently increases Fshb transcript levels. Furthermore, AMH was shown to establish complex interrelations with canonical FSH regulators as it cooperates with activin to induce Fshb expression whereas it reduces BMP2 action. We report that GnRH interferes with AMH by decreasing AMH receptivity in vivo in females. Moreover, AMH specifically regulates FSH and not LH, indicating that AMH is a factor contributing to the differential regulation of gonadotropins. Overall, our study uncovers a new role for AMH in regulating gonadotrope function and suggests that AMH participates in the postnatal elevation of FSH secretion in females.
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16
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Novel role for anti-Müllerian hormone in the regulation of GnRH neuron excitability and hormone secretion. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10055. [PMID: 26753790 PMCID: PMC4729924 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) plays crucial roles in sexual differentiation and gonadal functions. However, the possible extragonadal effects of AMH on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis remain unexplored. Here we demonstrate that a significant subset of GnRH neurons both in mice and humans express the AMH receptor, and that AMH potently activates the GnRH neuron firing in mice. Combining in vivo and in vitro experiments, we show that AMH increases GnRH-dependent LH pulsatility and secretion, supporting a central action of AMH on GnRH neurons. Increased LH pulsatility is an important pathophysiological feature in many cases of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common cause of female infertility, in which circulating AMH levels are also often elevated. However, the origin of this dysregulation remains unknown. Our findings raise the intriguing hypothesis that AMH-dependent regulation of GnRH release could be involved in the pathophysiology of fertility and could hold therapeutic potential for treating PCOS. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) plays a role in sexual differentiation and gonadal function, but extra-gonadal effects of AMH are not known. Here Cimino et al. show that AMH activates a subset of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-releasing neurons, contributing to luteinizing hormone secretion from the pituitary gland.
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17
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Pfennig F, Standke A, Gutzeit HO. The role of Amh signaling in teleost fish--Multiple functions not restricted to the gonads. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2015; 223:87-107. [PMID: 26428616 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes the important role of Anti-Müllerian hormone (Amh) during gonad development in fishes. This Tgfβ-domain bearing hormone was named after one of its known functions, the induction of the regression of Müllerian ducts in male mammalian embryos. Later in development it is involved in male and female gonad differentiation and extragonadal expression has been reported in mammals as well. Teleosts lack Müllerian ducts, but they have amh orthologous genes. amh expression is reported from 21 fish species and possible regulatory interactions with further factors like sex steroids and gonadotropic hormones are discussed. The gonadotropin Fsh inhibits amh expression in all fish species studied. Sex steroids show no consistent influence on amh expression. Amh is produced in male Sertoli cells and female granulosa cells and inhibits germ cell proliferation and differentiation as well as steroidogenesis in both sexes. Therefore, Amh might be a central player in gonad development and a target of gonadotropic Fsh. Furthermore, there is evidence that an Amh-type II receptor is involved in germ cell regulation. Amh and its corresponding type II receptor are also present in brain and pituitary, at least in some teleosts, indicating additional roles of Amh effects in the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis. Unraveling Amh signaling is important in stem cell research and for reproduction as well as for aquaculture and in environmental science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Pfennig
- Institut für Zoologie, TU Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Andrea Standke
- Institut für Zoologie, TU Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
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18
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McLennan IS, Pankhurst MW. Anti-Müllerian hormone is a gonadal cytokine with two circulating forms and cryptic actions. J Endocrinol 2015; 226:R45-57. [PMID: 26163524 DOI: 10.1530/joe-15-0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a multi-faceted gonadal cytokine. It is present in all vertebrates with its original function in phylogeny being as a regulator of germ cells in both sexes, and as a prime inducer of the male phenotype. Its ancient functions appear to be broadly conserved in mammals, but with this being obscured by its overt role in triggering the regression of the Müllerian ducts in male embryos. Sertoli and ovarian follicular cells primarily release AMH as a prohormone (proAMH), which forms a stable complex (AMHN,C) after cleavage by subtilisin/kexin-type proprotein convertases or serine proteinases. Circulating AMH is a mixture of proAMH and AMHN,C, suggesting that proAMH is activated within the gonads and putatively by its endocrine target-cells. The gonadal expression of the cleavage enzymes is subject to complex regulation, and the preliminary data suggest that this influences the relative proportions of proAMH and AMHN,C in the circulation. AMH shares an intracellular pathway with the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and growth differentiation factor (GDF) ligands. AMH is male specific during the initial stage of development, and theoretically should produce male biases throughout the body by adding a male-specific amplification of BMP/GDF signalling. Consistent with this, some of the male biases in neuron number and the non-sexual behaviours of mice are dependent on AMH. After puberty, circulating levels of AMH are similar in men and women. Putatively, the function of AMH in adulthood maybe to add a gonadal influence to BMP/GDF-regulated homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian S McLennan
- Department of AnatomyUniversity of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Michael W Pankhurst
- Department of AnatomyUniversity of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
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19
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de Vries GJ, Fields CT, Peters NV, Whylings J, Paul MJ. Sensitive periods for hormonal programming of the brain. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2014; 16:79-108. [PMID: 24549723 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2014_286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
During sensitive periods, information from the external and internal environment that occurs during particular phases of development is relayed to the brain to program neural development. Hormones play a central role in this process. In this review, we first discuss sexual differentiation of the brain as an example of hormonal programming. Using sexual differentiation, we define sensitive periods, review cellular and molecular processes that can explain their restricted temporal window, and discuss challenges in determining the precise timing of the temporal window. We then briefly review programming effects of other hormonal systems and discuss how programming of these systems interact with sexual differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geert J de Vries
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, PO Box 5030, Atlanta, GA, 30302-5030, USA,
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20
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Knickmeyer RC, Auyeung B, Davenport ML. Assessing prenatal and neonatal gonadal steroid exposure for studies of human development: methodological and theoretical challenges. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 5:242. [PMID: 25642209 PMCID: PMC4294212 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 12/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C. Knickmeyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- *Correspondence:
| | - Bonnie Auyeung
- School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marsha L. Davenport
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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