Title |
Neuroendocrine Pathways Mediating Nutritional Acceleration of Puberty: Insights from Ruminant Models
|
---|---|
Published in |
Frontiers in endocrinology, January 2011
|
DOI | 10.3389/fendo.2011.00109 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Marcel Amstalden, Bruna R. C. Alves, Songrui Liu, Rodolfo C. Cardoso, Gary L. Williams |
Abstract |
The pubertal process is characterized by an activation of physiological events within the hypothalamic-adenohypophyseal-gonadal axis which culminate in reproductive competence. Excessive weight gain and adiposity during the juvenile period is associated with accelerated onset of puberty in females. The mechanisms and pathways by which excess energy balance advances puberty are unclear, but appear to involve an early escape from estradiol negative feedback and early initiation of high-frequency episodic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Hypothalamic neurons, particularly neuropeptide Y and proopiomelanocortin neurons are likely important components of the pathway sensing and transmitting metabolic information to the control of GnRH secretion. Kisspeptin neurons may also have a role as effector neurons integrating metabolic and gonadal steroid feedback effects on GnRH secretion at the time of puberty. Recent studies indicate that leptin-responsive neurons within the ventral premammillary nucleus play a critical role in pubertal progression and challenge the relevance of kisspeptin neurons in this process. Nevertheless, the nutritional control of puberty is likely to involve an integration of major sensor and effector pathways that interact with modulatory circuitries for a fine control of GnRH neuron function. In this review, observations made in ruminant species are emphasized for a comparative perspective. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Iran, Islamic Republic of | 1 | 2% |
Unknown | 45 | 98% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 9 | 20% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 8 | 17% |
Researcher | 6 | 13% |
Student > Bachelor | 3 | 7% |
Professor > Associate Professor | 3 | 7% |
Other | 7 | 15% |
Unknown | 10 | 22% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 15 | 33% |
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 6 | 13% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 4 | 9% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 2 | 4% |
Chemical Engineering | 1 | 2% |
Other | 4 | 9% |
Unknown | 14 | 30% |