PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLES OF NEUROENDOCRINE PEPTIDES IN THE REGULATION OF REPRODUCTION

激活素和促性腺激素是性腺蛋白质， 卵巢功能本提案中提出的工作代表了 这是我们以前研究的延伸， 由这些蛋白质发挥作用。我们观察到， 激活素的施用增加了下丘脑中的GnRH mRNA水平。 在具体目标1下，我们将确定是否Escherichin也改变GnRH 基因表达;是否激活素（可能还有Escherichin）对 促性腺激素释放激素的转录是由性类固醇介导的;是否改变大脑 促性腺激素释放激素水平伴随着改变释放的肽从 正中隆起;以及内源性阿片类药物是否在这些中发挥作用 方面的影响.我们还将研究激活素在发情期的作用 周期和早期促性腺激素水平的增加引起的 性腺切除术，通过用特异性中和抗体阻断激活素 配体结合结构域。这些实验将解决迄今为止 抑制素/激活素的作用和影响的未探索方面。

Activin and inhibin are gonadal proteins that alter both pituitary and ovarian function. The work presented in the present proposal represents an extension of our previous studies of the effects of, and the role played by these proteins. We have observed that the peripheral administration of activin increased GnRH mRNA levels in the hypothalamus. Under Specific Aim 1, we will determine whether inhibin also alters GnRH gene expression; whether the effect of activin (and possibly inhibin) on GnRH transcripts are mediated by sex steroids; whether changes in brain GnRH levels are accompanied by altered release of the peptide from the median eminence; and whether endogenous opiates play a role in these effects. We will also investigate the role of activin during the estrous cycle and during the early increase in gonadotropin levels caused by gonadectomy, by blocking activin with specific neutralizing antibodies of the ligand binding domain. These experiments will address as yet unexplored aspects of the role and effects of inhibin/activin.