1
|
Alonge MM, Greville LJS, Ma X, Faure PA, Bentley GE. Acute restraint stress rapidly impacts reproductive neuroendocrinology and downstream gonad function in big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245592. [PMID: 37827114 PMCID: PMC10629485 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Animals face unpredictable challenges that require rapid, facultative physiological reactions to support survival but may compromise reproduction. Bats have a long-standing reputation for being highly sensitive to stressors, with sensitivity and resilience varying both within and among species, yet little is known about how stress affects the signaling that regulates reproductive physiology. Here, we provide the first description of the molecular response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis of male big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in response to short-term stress using a standardized restraint manipulation. This acute stressor was sufficient to upregulate plasma corticosterone and resulted in a rapid decrease in circulating testosterone. While we did not find differences in the mRNA expression of key steroidogenic enzymes (StAR, aromatase, 5-alpha reductase), seminiferous tubule diameter was reduced in stressed bats coupled with a 5-fold increase in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA expression in the testes. These changes, in part, may be mediated by RFamide-related peptide (RFRP) because fewer immunoreactive cell bodies were detected in the brains of stressed bats compared with controls - suggesting a possible increase in secretion - and increased RFRP expression locally in the gonads. The rapid sensitivity of the bat testes to stress may be connected to deleterious impacts on tissue health and function as supported by significant transcriptional upregulation of key pro-apoptotic signaling molecules (Bax, cytochrome c). Experiments like this broadly contribute to our understanding of the stronger ecological predictions regarding physiological responses of bats within the context of stress, which may impact decisions surrounding animal handling and conservation approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mattina M. Alonge
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Integrative Biology, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA
| | - Lucas J. S. Greville
- McMaster University, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4L8
- University of Waterloo, Department of Biology, Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3G1
| | - Xuehao Ma
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Integrative Biology, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Paul A. Faure
- McMaster University, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4L8
| | - George E. Bentley
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Integrative Biology, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhou L, Chen T, Wang Y, Fu Y, Xie X, Liu X, Chen W, Yan Z, Liu P. Influence of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis reactivation and pubertal hormones on gray matter volume in early pubertal girls. Int J Neurosci 2020; 131:946-952. [PMID: 32448012 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1763342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Puberty is a sensitive period of brain development accompany with pubertal hormones fluctuation. However, the underlying mechanisms of the impact of hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis reactivation and associated elevated pubertal hormones on brain structure are still unclear. Here, we investigated the brain structure differences between girls with and without HPG axis reactivation and the influence of pubertal hormones on these brain regions. METHODS 126 girls aged 8-9.5 years underwent a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test to identify the HPG axis status and categorized into HPG+ group (n = 80) and HPG- group (n = 46). T1-weighted gradient echo three dimensional MRI was performed using a 3.0-Tesla scanner to assess the difference in GMV between the two groups. Correlation analyses were conducted to explore the relations between the brain regions showing significant GMV differences and serum hormone concentrations. RESULT The HPG+ group showed significantly higher GMV in the bilateral lingual gyrus and lower GMV within the right orbital inferior frontal gyrus compare to the HPG - group. Furthermore, GMV in the right orbital inferior frontal gyrus was positively associated with plasma concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in HPG+ group. CONCLUSION The present study suggests that the reactivated HPG axis could affects regional structural brain changes in early pubertal girls. FSH production play an important role in bilateral lingual gyrus, which are involved in vision processing, semantic processing and emotional expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuchuan Fu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoling Xie
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaozheng Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,China-USA Neuroimaging Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhihan Yan
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peining Liu
- Child Healthcare Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children' Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang Q, Yang X, Liu J, Ren W, Chen Y, Shen S. Effects of BPF on steroid hormone homeostasis and gene expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis of zebrafish. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2017; 24:21311-21322. [PMID: 28741210 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9773-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol F (BPF) has been frequently detected in various environmental compartments, and previous studies found that BPF exhibits similar estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects on the mammalian endocrine system to those of bisphenol A (BPA). However, the potential disrupting effects of BPF on aquatic organisms and the underling disrupting mechanisms have not been investigated. In this study, the potential disrupting mechanisms of BPF on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and liver were probed by employing the OECD 21-day short-term fecundity assay in zebrafish. The results show that BPF exposure (1 mg/L) impaired the reproductive function of zebrafish, as exemplified by alterations to testicular and ovarian histology of the treated zebrafish. Homogenate testosterone (T) levels in male zebrafish decreased in a concentration-dependent manner, and 17β-estradiol (E2) levels increased significantly when fish were exposed to 0.1 and 1 mg/L BPF. The real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to examine gene expression in the HPG axis and liver. Hepatic vitellogenin expression was significantly upregulated in males, suggesting that BPF possesses estrogenic activity. The disturbed hormone balance was enhanced by the significant changes in gene expression along the HPG axis. These alterations suggest that BPF leads to adverse effects on the endocrine system of teleost fish, and that these effects were more prominent in males than in females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Yang
- The College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No.30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, No. 8 Jiangwangmiao Steet, Nanjing, 210042, China
| | - Xianhai Yang
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, No. 8 Jiangwangmiao Steet, Nanjing, 210042, China
| | - Jining Liu
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, No. 8 Jiangwangmiao Steet, Nanjing, 210042, China.
| | - Wenjuan Ren
- The College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No.30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, No. 8 Jiangwangmiao Steet, Nanjing, 210042, China
| | - Yingwen Chen
- The College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No.30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Shubao Shen
- The College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No.30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dudek M, Kołodziejski PA, Pruszyńska-Oszmałek E, Sassek M, Ziarniak K, Nowak KW, Sliwowska JH. Effects of high-fat diet-induced obesity and diabetes on Kiss1 and GPR54 expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and peripheral organs (fat, pancreas and liver) in male rats. Neuropeptides 2016; 56:41-9. [PMID: 26853724 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent data indicates that kisspeptin, encoded by the KISS1 gene, could play a role in transducing metabolic information into the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, the mechanism that controls reproductive functions. Numerous studies have shown that in a state of negative energy balance, the hypothalamic kisspeptin system is impaired. However, data concerning positive energy balance (e.g. diabetes and obesity) and the role of kisspeptin in the peripheral tissues is scant. We hypothesized that: 1) in diet-induced obese (DIO) male rats and/or rats with diabetes type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2), altered reproductive functions are related to an imbalance in Kiss1 and GPR54 mRNA in the HPG axis; and 2) in DIO and/or DM1 and/or DM2 rats, Kiss1 and GPR 54 expression are altered in the peripheral tissues involved in metabolic functions (fat, pancreas and liver). Animals were fed a high-fat or control diets and STZ (streptozotocin - toxin, which destroys the pancreas) was injected in high or low doses to induce diabetes type 1 (DM1) or diabetes type 2 (DM2), respectively. RT-PCR and Western blot techniques were used to assess the expression of Kiss1 and GRP54 in tissues. At the level of mRNA, we found that diabetic but not obese rats have alterations in Kiss1 and/or GPR54 mRNA levels in the HPG axis as well as in peripheral tissues involved in metabolic functions (fat, pancreas and liver). The most severe changes were seen in DM1 rats. However, in the case of protein levels in the peripheral tissues (fat, pancreas and liver), changes in Kiss1/GPR54 expression were noticed in DIO, DM1 and DM2 animals and were tissue-specific. Our data support the hypothesis that alterations in Kiss1/GPR54 balance may account for both reproductive and metabolic abnormalities reported in obese and diabetic rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Dudek
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznan, Poland.
| | - P A Kołodziejski
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wołynska 33, 60-625 Poznan, Poland.
| | - E Pruszyńska-Oszmałek
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wołynska 33, 60-625 Poznan, Poland.
| | - M Sassek
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wołynska 33, 60-625 Poznan, Poland.
| | - K Ziarniak
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznan, Poland.
| | - K W Nowak
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wołynska 33, 60-625 Poznan, Poland.
| | - J H Sliwowska
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznan, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sun L, Wang S, Lin X, Tan H, Fu Z. Early Life Exposure to Ractopamine Causes Endocrine-Disrupting Effects in Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes). Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2016; 96:150-155. [PMID: 26395355 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-015-1659-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
β-Agonists, which are used as human pharmaceuticals or feed additives, have been detected in aquatic environments. β-Agonists have also been proposed for use in aquaculture. However, there are limited data available regarding the adverse effects of β-agonists in aquatic organisms. In this study, ractopamine was selected as the representative β-agonist, and medaka embryos were exposed at concentrations ranging from 5 to 625 μg/L for 44 days. In contrast to what has been found in mammals, ractopamine caused no growth response in medaka. However, the transcriptional changes of genes related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, especially in females, suggested that β-agonists may have the potential to disrupt the endocrine system. Moreover, genes involved in anti-oxidative activity or detoxification were affected in a gender-specific manner. These findings, particularly the effects on the endocrine system of fish, will advance our understanding of the ecotoxicity of β-agonists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Sun
- College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, People's Republic of China
| | - Sisi Wang
- College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Lin
- College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, People's Republic of China
| | - Hana Tan
- College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengwei Fu
- College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gawałek M, Sliwowska JH. Neuronal basis of reproductive dysfunctions associated with diet and alcohol: From the womb to adulthood. Reprod Biol 2015; 15:69-78. [PMID: 26051454 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2015.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The theory that individuals are born as tabula rasa and that their knowledge comes from experience and perception is no longer true. Studies suggest that experience is gained as early as in the mother's womb. Moreover, environmental stressors like alcohol or inadequate diet can affect physiological systems such as the hypothalmic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. The effects of these stressors can manifest as alterations in sexual development and adult reproductive functions. In this review, we consider and compare evidence from animal models and human studies demonstrating the role of environmental stressors (alcohol and under- or overnutrition) on the HPG axis. We review the role of alcohol and inadequate diet in prenatal reproductive system programming and consider specific candidate neurons in the adult hypothalamus through which reproductive function is being regulated. Finally, we review evidence from animal studies on the role that alcohol and diet play in fertility and reproductive disorders. We conclude that in order to better understand reproductive failure in animals and humans we need to consider in utero development and pay more attention to early life experience when searching for the origins of reproductive diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Gawałek
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Joanna H Sliwowska
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons originate the nasal placode and migrate into the brain during prenatal development. Once within the brain, these cells become integral components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, essential for reproductive function. Disruption of this system causes hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). HH associated with anosmia is clinically defined as Kallman syndrome (KS). Recent work examining the developing nasal region has shed new light on cellular composition, cell interactions and molecular cues responsible for the development of this system in different species. This review discusses some developmental aspects, animal models and current advancements in our understanding of pathologies affecting GnRH. In addition we discuss how development of neural crest derivatives such as the glia of the olfactory system and craniofacial structures control GnRH development and reproductive function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo E Forni
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, United States.
| | - Susan Wray
- Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States.
| |
Collapse
|