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Biol Reprod

Title:		Mating induces gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuronal activation in anosmic female ferrets
Author(s):		Bakker J; Kelliher KR; Baum MJ;
Address:		"Department of Biology, Boston University, Massachusetts 02215, USA. jbakker@ulg.ac.be"
Journal Title:		Biol Reprod
Year:		2001
Volume:		64
Issue:		4
Page Number:		1100 - 1105
DOI:		10.1095/biolreprod64.4.1100
ISSN/ISBN:		0006-3363 (Print) 0006-3363 (Linking)
Abstract:		"In females of both spontaneously and induced ovulating species, pheromones from male conspecifics can directly stimulate GnRH neuronal activity, thereby inducing pituitary LH secretion and stimulating the onset of estrus. However, whether pheromones contribute to the steroid- or mating-induced preovulatory activation of GnRH neurons is less clear. Previous studies in the ferret, an induced ovulator, raised the possibility that olfactory cues contribute to the ability of genital-somatosensory stimulation to activate GnRH neurons in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH). In the present study the percentage of GnRH neurons colabeled with Fos-immunoreactivity (IR), used as a marker for neuronal activation, was investigated in the MBH of mated gonadectomized, estradiol-treated female ferrets in which both nares were occluded. In addition, the percentage of GnRH neurons colabeled with Fos-IR was examined in the MBH of gonadectomized, estradiol-treated female ferrets exposed to male bedding. Bilateral nares occlusion successfully blocked mating or odor-induced increments in Fos-IR in central olfactory regions, including the cortical and medial amygdala. By contrast, the percentage of GnRH neurons expressing Fos-IR did not differ between mated nares- and sham-occluded females. Exposure to male bedding alone failed to induce Fos-IR in MBH GnRH neurons. Thus, the mating-induced preovulatory activation of GnRH neurons in the female ferret's MBH appears to rely solely on genital-somatosensory as opposed to olfactory inputs"
Keywords:		"Amygdala Animals Biomarkers/analysis Cell Count Copulation/*physiology Estradiol/pharmacology Female Ferrets/*physiology Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/*physiology Hypothalamus, Middle/cytology Neurons/chemistry/*physiology Olfaction Disorders Olfactory P;"
Notes:		"MedlineBakker, J Kelliher, K R Baum, M J eng HD21094/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/ Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. 2001/03/22 Biol Reprod. 2001 Apr; 64(4):1100-5. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod64.4.1100"