Novel physiological function of microglia: Possible involvement of microglia in the regulation of GnRH neural function

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The present studies were aimed to examine whether microglia may be involved in regulation of functions of GnRH neurons which govern reproductive functions. We revealed that cyclooxygenase (COX) -1 immunoreactivity in the vicinity of GnRH neurons was almost entirely localized in microglia in the preoptic area, and prostaglandin E2, which is one of the products catalyzed by COX, modulated electrophysiological properties of GnRH neurons in an estrus cycle-dependent manner. We also found pretreatment of an inhibitor of microglial activation reversed suppression of gonadotropin secretion by inflammatory stress. These results suggest that microglia may be involved in regulation of GnRH neural function in both physiological and inflammatory conditions.