Effects of Social Information on the Release and Expression of Gonadotropin-Inhibitory Hormone in Birds

Conclusion and Future Directions GnIH is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that suppresses and finely tunes reproduction in birds by directly modifying GnRH1 and gonadotrophin release. GnIH expression and synthesis are influenced by social status, breeding condition, and the presence of conspecifics. Female presence stimulates GnIH release via NA release in male birds. These findings suggest that GnIH neurons modulate the activities of the HPG axis in response to the social environment, as well as photoperiod and stress. Thus GnIH is a newly discovered integrator of environmental stimuli for reproduction; nevertheless, there remain unanswered questions about its roles and mechanisms of action. First, does GnIH also play a role in rapid regulating social behaviors in response to social stimuli? Male quail increase GnIH neuronal activity when they recognize an attractive female conspecific. In addition, female presence suppresses instantly male courtship vocalization and promotes male approach for copulation. If GnIH can act directly within the brain to control reproductive behaviors (35, 54), activated GnIH neurons by female presence in male quail may modulate the neurol circuitry underlying social behaviors to change the pattern of courtship vocalization and social proximity behavior. The neural mechanisms of GnIH action in the brain regulating vocalization and social proximity behavior will be the focus of future studies. A second question is whether NA is involved in regulatin...
Source: Frontiers in Endocrinology - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research