Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive-endocrine disorder affecting between 5 and 18% of women worldwide. An elevated frequency of pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and higher serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) are frequently observed in women with PCOS. The origin of these abnormalities is, however, not well understood.Methods
We studied brain structure and function in women with and without PCOS using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion tensor imaging combined with fiber tractography. Then, using a mouse model of PCOS, we investigated by electron microscopy whether AMH played a role on the regulation of hypothalamic structural plasticity.Findings
Increased AMH serum levels are associated with increased hypothalamic activity/axonal-glial signalling in PCOS patients. Furthermore, we demonstrate that AMH promotes profound micro-structural changes in the murine hypothalamic median eminence (ME), creating a permissive environment for GnRH secretion. These include the retraction of the processes of specialized AMH-sensitive ependymo-glial cells called tanycytes, allowing more GnRH neuron terminals to approach ME blood capillaries both during the run-up to ovulation and in a mouse model of PCOS.Interpretation
We uncovered a central function for AMH in the regulation of fertility by remodeling GnRH terminals and their tanycytic sheaths, and provided insights into the pivotal role of the brain in the establishment and maintenance of neuroendocrine dysfunction in PCOS.Funding
INSERM (U1172), European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement n° 725149), CHU de Lille, France (Bonus H).
SUBMITTER: Barbotin AL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10070524 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Barbotin Anne-Laure AL Mimouni Nour El Houda NEH Kuchcinski Grégory G Lopes Renaud R Viard Romain R Rasika Sowmyalakshmi S Mazur Daniele D Silva Mauro S B MSB Simon Virginie V Boursier Angèle A Pruvo Jean-Pierre JP Yu Qiang Q Candlish Michael M Boehm Ulrich U Bello Federica Dal FD Medana Claudio C Pigny Pascal P Dewailly Didier D Prevot Vincent V Catteau-Jonard Sophie S Giacobini Paolo P
EBioMedicine 20230329
<h4>Background</h4>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive-endocrine disorder affecting between 5 and 18% of women worldwide. An elevated frequency of pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and higher serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) are frequently observed in women with PCOS. The origin of these abnormalities is, however, not well understood.<h4>Methods</h4>We studied brain structure and function in women with and without PCOS using proton magnetic res ...[more]