Decreased expression of kisspeptin mediates acute immune/inflammatory stress-induced suppression of gonadotropin secretion in female rat

J Endocrinol Invest. 2008 Jul;31(7):656-9. doi: 10.1007/BF03345620.

Abstract

Kisspeptin and its corresponding receptor, the G protein-coupled receptor 54, play an important role in reproductive systems. It has been suggested that reproductive disorders in metabolically disrupted animals are caused by the alteration of hypothalamic KiSS-1 systems. Immune/inflammatory challenge is also known to disrupt reproductive function. However, the effects of immune/inflammatory challenge on KiSS-1 systems have not been investigated. In this study, we showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection decreased hypothalamic KiSS-1 mRNA expression as well as plasma LH levels in ovariectomized rats. Indomethacin completely blocked the suppressive effects of LPS on LH secretion and KiSS-1 mRNA level. Furthermore, we showed that i.v. injection of kisspeptin increased plasma LH levels in LPS-administrated rats to the same degree as in saline-injected rats. These results suggest that KiSS-1 systems are sensitive to immune/inflammatory challenge conditions and transmit these signals into the central reproductive system.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / genetics
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / metabolism
  • Hypothalamus / drug effects
  • Hypothalamus / metabolism
  • Indomethacin / pharmacology
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Kisspeptins
  • Lipopolysaccharides / immunology
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Luteinizing Hormone / metabolism*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Receptors, Kisspeptin-1
  • Stress, Physiological*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Kiss1 protein, rat
  • Kiss1r protein, rat
  • Kisspeptins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Proteins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Receptors, Kisspeptin-1
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Indomethacin