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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2008; 116(1): 40-46
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-990299
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Central Effect of β-Endorphin and Naloxone on the Expression of GnRH Gene and GnRH Receptor (GnRH-R) Gene in the Hypothalamus, and on GnRH-R Gene in the Anterior Pituitary Gland in Follicular Phase Ewes

M. O. Ciechanowska 1 , M. Lapot 1 , T. Malewski 2 , K. Mateusiak 1 , T. Misztal 3 , F. Przekop 1
  • 1Department of Neuroendocrinology,The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition Polish Academy of Science, Jablonna, Poland
  • 2Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland
  • 3Department of Endocrinology, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition Polish Academy of Science, Jablonna, Poland
Further Information

Publication History

received 24.04.2007 first decision 14.06.2007

accepted 23.08.2007

Publication Date:
31 October 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The effect of prolonged intermittent infusion of β-endorphin or naloxone into the third cerebral ventricle in ewes during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle on the expression of GnRH gene and GnRH-R gene in the hypothalamus and GnRH-R gene in the anterior pituitary gland was examined by Real time-PCR. Activation of μ opioid receptors decreased GnRH mRNA levels in the hypothalamus and led to complex changes in GnRH-R mRNA: an increase of GnRH-R mRNA in the preoptic area, no change in the anterior hypothalamus and decrease in the ventromedial hypothalamus and stalk/median eminence. In β-endorphin treated ewes the levels of GnRH-R mRNA in the anterior pituitary gland also decreased significantly. These complex changes in the levels of GnRH mRNA and GnRH-R mRNA were reflected in the decrease of LH secretion. Blockade of μ opioid receptors affected neither GnRH mRNA and GnRH-R mRNA nor LH levels secretion. These results indicate that β-endorphin displays a suppressive effect on the expression of the GnRH gene in the hypothalamus and GnRH-R gene in the anterior pituitary gland, but affects GnRH-R gene expression in a specific manner in the various parts of hypothalamus; altogether these events lead to the decrease in GnRH/LH secretion.

Key words

ewe - β-endorphin - GnRH gene

References

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Correspondence

Dr. M. O. Ciechanowska

Department of Neuroendocrinology

The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition Polish Academy of Science

Instytucka 3

05-110 Jablonna

Poland

Phone: +22/782 44 22

Fax: +22/774 20 38

Email: m.ciechanowska@ifzz.pan.pl