Activation of arcuate nucleus GABA neurons promotes luteinizing hormone secretion and reproductive dysfunction: Implications for polycystic ovary syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Enhanced GABA activity in the brain and a hyperactive hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common form of anovulatory infertility. Women with PCOS exhibit elevated cerebrospinal fluid GABA levels and preclinical models of PCOS exhibit increased GABAergic input to GnRH neurons, the central regulators of reproduction. The arcuate nucleus (ARN) is postulated as the anatomical origin of elevated GABAergic innervation; however, the functional role of this circuit is undefined.

Methods

We employed a combination of targeted optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches to assess the impact of acute and chronic ARN GABA neuron activation. Selective acute activation of ARN GABA neurons and their fiber projections was

SUBMITTER: Silva MSB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6606966 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature