Female reproductive functioning requires the precise temporal organization of numerous neuroendocrine events by a master circadian brain clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Across species, including humans, disruptions to circadian timing result in pronounced deficits in ovulation and fecundity. Our investigations focus on the circadian control of two key neuropeptides with opposing roles, gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH, also known as RFRP-3) and kisspeptin. Across mammalian species, GnIH markedly inhibits the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and pituitary gonadotropin secretion, whereas kisspeptin is a pronounced stimulator of the GnRH neuronal network. Despite the well- established roles for both GnIH and kisspeptin in mammalian reproduction, as well as the knowledge that the circadian timing system is a crucial regulator of the female reproductive axis, the specific neurochemical pathways underlying these interactions are not well understood. The present proposal explores how a hierarchy of circadian oscillators interacts with the GnIH and kisspeptin signaling pathways to regulate GnRH secretion and the preovulatory GnRH/luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. Our work to date indicates that the SCN projects monosynaptically to the GnIH and kisspeptin systems to coordinate their activational states appropriately to allow for initiation of the GnRH/LH surge and ovulation. Additionally, our recent in vitro and in vivo findings point to a novel role for autonomous circadian clocks, operating in GnRH cells, in mediating daily responsiveness of the HPG axis to upstream neurochemical signaling, including kisspeptin. The present proposal combines system, circuit, molecular/genetic, and pharmacological approaches to investigate the interactions among the GnIH, kisspeptin, and circadian systems by exploring: 1) the specific neural loci at which kisspeptin and GnIH interact to regulate GnRH secretion, 2) the neurochemical means by which the SCN coordinates the timed secretion of kisspeptin and GnIH, and 3) the functional implications of these interactions for the GnRH/LH surge and ovulation. The proposed work addresses a classic question in regulatory biology, and has the potential for substantial translational impact in the development of safe/effective contraception, as well as the treatment of a host of reproductive disorders in humans, including precocious and delayed puberty, infertility, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Public Health Relevance

Converging lines of evidence implicate a critical role for circadian timing in successful female reproduction across mammalian species, including humans. Women with irregular work or sleep cycles, for example, experience abnormal menstrual cycles, difficultly becoming pregnant, and an increased rate of spontaneous abortions. Given the necessity of proper hormonal timing in reproductive health, our studies examine the role of circadian brain clocks in the coordination of key positive and negative neurochemical regulatory systems critical for ovulation and reproductive success.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01HD050470-09S1
Application #
9044921
Study Section
Neuroendocrinology, Neuroimmunology, Rhythms and Sleep Study Section (NNRS)
Program Officer
Lamar, Charisee A
Project Start
2007-03-01
Project End
2017-04-30
Budget Start
2015-05-01
Budget End
2016-04-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$83,028
Indirect Cost
$30,116
Name
University of California Berkeley
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
124726725
City
Berkeley
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94704
Kriegsfeld, L J; Jennings, K J; Bentley, G E et al. (2018) Gonadotrophin-inhibitory hormone and its mammalian orthologue RFamide-related peptide-3: Discovery and functional implications for reproduction and stress. J Neuroendocrinol 30:e12597
Benton, Noah A; Russo, Kim A; Brozek, Jeremy M et al. (2018) Food restriction-induced changes in motivation differ with stages of the estrous cycle and are closely linked to RFamide-related peptide-3 but not kisspeptin in Syrian hamsters. Physiol Behav 190:43-60
Park, Hyo Min; Russo, Kim A; Karateev, Grigory et al. (2017) A System for In Vivo Imaging of Hepatic Free Fatty Acid Uptake. Gastroenterology 152:78-81.e2
Smarr, Benjamin L; Grant, Azure D; Zucker, Irving et al. (2017) Sex differences in variability across timescales in BALB/c mice. Biol Sex Differ 8:7
Smarr, Benjamin L; Zucker, Irving; Kriegsfeld, Lance J (2016) Detection of Successful and Unsuccessful Pregnancies in Mice within Hours of Pairing through Frequency Analysis of High Temporal Resolution Core Body Temperature Data. PLoS One 11:e0160127
Ball, Lonnele J; Palesh, Oxana; Kriegsfeld, Lance J (2016) The Pathophysiologic Role of Disrupted Circadian and Neuroendocrine Rhythms in Breast Carcinogenesis. Endocr Rev 37:450-466
Tsutsui, Kazuyoshi; Ubuka, Takayoshi; Son, You Lee et al. (2015) Contribution of GnIH Research to the Progress of Reproductive Neuroendocrinology. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 6:179
Kriegsfeld, Lance J; Ubuka, Takayoshi; Bentley, George E et al. (2015) Seasonal control of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) in birds and mammals. Front Neuroendocrinol 37:65-75
Jarjisian, Stephan G; Butler, Matthew P; Paul, Matthew J et al. (2015) Dorsomedial hypothalamic lesions counteract decreases in locomotor activity in male Syrian hamsters transferred from long to short day lengths. J Biol Rhythms 30:42-52
Russo, Kimberly A; La, Janet L; Stephens, Shannon B Z et al. (2015) Circadian Control of the Female Reproductive Axis Through Gated Responsiveness of the RFRP-3 System to VIP Signaling. Endocrinology 156:2608-18

Showing the most recent 10 out of 34 publications