NEUROTENSIN AND FEMALE-SPECIFIC LH SECRETION

合成肽神经降压素（NT）的神经元特别是 丰富的视前区，并可能发挥重要作用， 调节神经内分泌功能，其中许多方面是性的， 差异化。 这项建议旨在澄清以下两者之间的关系： 雌激素依赖性表达 神经降压素/神经介肽N（NT/N）基因在大鼠视前区， 促黄体生成激素（LH）分泌的女性特异性调节。 一 该提案的主要目的是确定在多大程度上 雌激素可直接作用于视前区的NT神经元。 与 最后，原位杂交组织化学将被用来确定 详细的区域分布的神经元，表达NT/N mRNA和 雌激素受体mRNA在男性和女性视前区 区 本提案的第二个主要目标是确定 NT可以直接作用于神经元的程度， 促性腺激素释放激素（GnRH）。 为此，在现场 杂交组织化学将用于确定详细的 同时表达GnRH mRNA和NT的神经元的区域分布 受体mRNA在男性和女性基底前脑。 在 此外，雌激素对NT受体mRNA丰度的影响也不明显。 将测定GnRH神经元。 第三个主要目标是 研究女性特异性NT/N基因的发育 在视前区的表达。 发育参数为 研究包括：a）NT/N mRNA分布的年龄 在视前区变得性分化，B）的程度， 在成体中，NT/N mRNA的表达存在性别差异， 视前区由新生儿雄激素水平决定，以及c）年龄 雌激素能够改变NT/N mRNA的丰度， 女性视前区 这些发展研究的结果将 有助于阐明NT神经元在发育中的作用， LH分泌的女性特异性调节。 识别神经- 调节GnRH神经元的递质将进一步加深我们对 月经周期的神经调节，可能会提供深入了解其 病理学，并可能指向新的治疗方法。

Neurons that synthesize the peptide neurotensin (NT) are particularly abundant in the preoptic area and may play an important role in regulating neuroendocrine function, many aspects of which are sexually differentiated. This proposal seeks to clarify the relationship between female-specific, estrogen-dependent expression of the neurotensin/neuromedin N (NT/N) gene in the rat preoptic area and female-specific regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. A major objective of this proposal is to determine the extent to which estrogen can act directly on NT neurons in the preoptic area. To that end, in situ hybridization histochemistry will be used to determine the detailed regional distribution of neurons that express both NT/N mRNA and estrogen receptor mRNA in the male preoptic area and female preoptic area. A second major objective of this proposal is to determine the extent to which NT can act directly on neurons that synthesize gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). To that end, in situ hybridization histochemistry will be used to determine the detailed regional distribution of neurons that express both GnRH mRNA and NT receptor mRNA in the basal forebrain of the male and female. In addition, the effect of estrogen on the abundance of NT receptor mRNA in GnRH neurons will be determined. A third major objective of this proposal is to investigate the development of female-specific NT/N gene expression in the preoptic area. Developmental parameters to be investigated include: a) the age at which the distribution of NT/N mRNA in the preoptic area becomes sexually differentiated, b) the extent to which sexually differentiated expression of NT/N mRNA in the adult preoptic area is determined by neonatal androgen levels, and c) the age at which estrogen is able to alter the abundance of NT/N mRNA in the female preoptic area. The results of these developmental studies will help to clarify the role of NT neurons in the development of female-specific regulation of LH secretion. Identifying neuro- transmitters that regulate GnRH neurons will further our understanding of neural regulation of the menstrual cycle, may provide insight into its pathology, and may point the way toward novel therapeutic approaches.