Journal
ANIMAL REPRODUCTION SCIENCE
Volume 147, Issue 1-2, Pages 56-63Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.04.001
Keywords
Desert rodents; Seasonal reproduction; KiSS-1; FSH beta, LH beta; Testosterone; Real-time RT-PCR, phylogenetic
Funding
- MinistAre de l'Enseignement SupA(c)rieur et de la Recherche Scientifique
- Gouvernement de la RA(c)publique AlgA(c)rienne (MESRS) in Algeria
- Ambassade de France in Algeria and Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)
- Universite de Caen Basse Normandie in France
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The molecular mechanisms operating on a seasonal time-scale and regulating functions such as reproduction are poorly understood in animals living in desert environments. Kisspeptin, the product of the KiSS-1 gene, plays a critical role in control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis that orchestrates the reproductive system in vertebrates. We report a sequence analysis of KISS-1 and the pituitary luteinising hormone-beta (LH beta) and follicle-stimulating hormone-beta (FSH beta) in the Libyan jird (Meriones libycus), a seasonal breeding rodent that is sexually active during spring and quiescent in fall. We also assessed gene expression by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction during the non-breeding and breeding seasons. The ICiSS-1 cDNA sequence analysis showed high homology between M. libycus and all other rodents (94%) and humans (92%). KISS-1 expression was higher during the breeding season than that during the non-breeding season. In contrast, LH beta and FSH beta expression levels were higher during the non-breeding season in autumn and varied in an opposite manner with testicular, seminal vesicle weights and plasma testosterone levels. Our results extend the role for KiSS-1 in activating the HPG axis in this desert rodent in its natural biotope by relaying environmental cues as in other seasonal non-desert rodent models. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available