Subacute high-refined carbohydrate diet leads to abnormal reproductive control of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in female rats

Author(s):Show less -

Zimerman, Jeanini ; Nino, Oscar M. S. ; da Costa, Charles S. ; Zanol, Jordana F. ; Comerio, Milena ; de Souza, Leticia N. da Gama ; Miranda-Alves, Leandro ; Miranda, Rosiane A. ; Lisboa, Patricia C. ; Camilo, Tays A. ; Rorato, Rodrigo ; Alves, Guilherme Andrade ; Frazao, Renata ; Zomer, Helena D. ; Freitas-Lima, Leandro C. ; Graceli, Jones B.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY; v. 119, p. 13-pg., 2023-05-29.

Abstract

We previously reported that female rats placed on a diet containing refined carbohydrates (HCD) resulted in obesity and reproductive abnormalities, such as high serum LH concentration and abnormal ovarian function. However, the impacts at the hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) function, specifically regarding pathways linked to reproductive axis modulation are unknown. In this study, we assessed whether subacute feeding with HCD re-sults in abnormal reproductive control in the HP axis. Female rats were fed with HCD for 15 days and repro-ductive HP axis morphophysiology was assessed. HCD reduced hypothalamic mRNA expression (Kiss1, Lepr, and Amhr2) and increased pituitary LH & beta;+ cells. These changes likely contribute to the increase in serum LH con-centration observed in HCD. Blunted estrogen negative feedback was observed in HCD, with increased kisspeptin protein expression in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH), lower LH & beta;+ cells and LH concentration in ovariectomized (OVX)+HCD rats. Thus, these data suggest that HCD feeding led to female abnormal repro-ductive control of HP axis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/17968-6 - Hypothalamic neuronal circuitry and phenotypes involved in the coupling of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity to changes in the energy homeostasis
• Grantee: Rodrigo César Rorato
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/21707-1 - Food deprivation effects in kisspeptin neurons excitability
• Grantee: Renata Frazão
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants