Central synaptic mechanisms regulating ovulation

促性腺激素释放激素（GnRH）神经元形成调节生殖的最终共同途径。脉动 下丘脑释放的GnRH刺激垂体促性腺激素的合成和分泌。在女性中， GnRH释放的大量激增，作为垂体促黄体激素的最终和先决条件信号 (LH)激增，随后启动排卵。GnRH激增依赖于两个信号：卵巢激素水平升高， 雌二醇水平和来自视交叉上核（SCN）的日常神经信号。解剖和生理数据 血管活性肠肽和加压素在昼夜节律信息传递中的支持作用 从SCN到GnRH神经元这项研究的目的是确定神经生物学机制的基础上， GnRH激增的产生和时间。具体来说，电生理技术将用于探索变化 在通过测量GnRH神经元放电显示每日LH激增的动物模型中， GnRH神经元的突触后电流（PSC）。 对VIP和加压素反应的变化将有助于阐明雌二醇反馈效应和每日信号是如何影响 整合，传输到GnRH神经元，并由GnRH神经元接收，以适当调节浪涌。绝对 促性腺激素释放激素激增排卵的要求强调了阐明其确切机制的重要性。 生成和定时。

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons form the final common pathway regulating reproduction. Pulsatile GnRH release from the hypothalamus stimulates synthesis and secretion of pituitary gonadotropins. In females there is a massive surge in GnRH release that serves as the final and prerequisite signal for the pituitary luteinizinghormone (LH) surge, which subsequently initiates ovulation. The GnRH surge is dependent on two signals: rising ovarian estradiol levels and a daily neural signal from the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). Anatomical and physiological data support roles for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)and vasopressin in the transmission of circadian information from the SCN to GnRH neurons. The goal of this study is to determine the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the generation and timing of the GnRH surge. Specifically, electrophysiological techniques will be used to explore changes in GnRH neuron function in an animal model that exhibits daily LH surges through measurement of GnRH neuron firing rate and glutamatergic and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) postsynaptic currents (PSCs) in GnRH neurons. Changes in response to VIP and vasopressin will help elucidate how estradiol feedback effects and the daily signal are integrated, transmitted to, and received by GnRH neurons for the proper regulation of the surge. The absolute requirement of the GnRH surge for ovulation underscores the importance of elucidating the exact mechanisms of its generation and timing.