Hypothalamic Expression of KiSS1 and RFamide-related Peptide-3 mRNAs during The Estrous Cycle of Rats
نویسندگان
1 Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
2 Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center , Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3 4Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4 6Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University and Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
5 Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
6 Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
7 Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
8 Biotechnology Institute, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
9 5Stem Cell and Transgenic Technology Research Center and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
10 7Infertility Research Center & IVF Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
doi
چکیده
Kisspeptin and RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3) are known to affect GnRH/luteinizing hormone (LH) in several species, including the rat. It has been hypothesized that GnRH/LH changes during the rat estrous cycle may result from changes in the expression of KiSS1 and RFRP-3 genes. Therefore, the present study investigates KiSS1 and RFRP-3 gene expression at the transcriptional level in the rat hypothalamus during the estrous cycle. In the present experimental study, 36 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (3-4 months old) were used to study the expression of KiSS1 and RFRP-3 mRNA in the hypothalamus during the estrous cycle. Four rats were ovariectomized, whereas the remainder were allotted to four different phases of the estrous cycle (n=8 per estrus phase). Rats were decapitated, and the hypothalami were immediately dissected and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Expressions of KiSS1 and RFRP-3 mRNAs were analyzed by real-time PCR. The expression of KiSS1 mRNA during estrus was lower than other phases of the cycle (p < 0.01). Expression of KiSS1 mRNA during the metestrus phase was lower than the proestrus phase (p < 0.01). The expression of RFRP-3 mRNA during proestrus was lower than the diestrus phase (p < 0.01). Results of the present study showed the role of coordinated expression of KiSS1 and RFRP-3 mRNA in the hypothalamus in the control of the rat estrous cycle.