| Grant number: | 14/08755-3 |
| Support type: | Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation |
| Effective date (Start): | August 01, 2014 |
| Effective date (End): | July 31, 2015 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems |
| Principal Investigator: | Renata Frazão |
| Grantee: | Fernanda Tais Haubenthal |
| Home Institution: | Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
Abstract The Kiss1 gene encodes a family of neuropeptides called kisspeptins, which play an essential role in the neuroendocrine regulation of GnRH secretion. Kiss1 expressing neurons has been described in the anteroventral periventricular, anterior periventricular nucleus (AVPV/PeN), arcuate nucleus (Arc) and other areas as the medial nucleus of amygdala (MeA). Kiss1 gene has variable expression on the MeA depending on the sex hormones levels, both in males and females rodents. In rodents pheromones and others olfactory substances regulate reproduction functions, the MeA is considered the primary station that transmits the essential information regarding reproduction to GnRH and the AVPV nuclei. The MeA is also implicated in social and emotional behaviors. However, the importance of Kiss1 gene in this nucleus is not known. The present study will evaluate whether pheromonal stimulation activate neurons that express Kiss1 gene on MeA as well in the AVPV/PeN and Arc nuclei. The results will allow us to assess whether the Kiss1 expressing neurons, specially on MeA, are part of the olfactory-hypothalamic circuit which regulate reproduction. | |