Hypothalamic pathways linking energy balance and reproduction - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

Hypothalamic pathways linking energy balance and reproduction

Jennifer W Hill et al. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2008 May.

Abstract

During periods of metabolic stress, animals must channel energy toward survival and away from processes such as reproduction. The reproductive axis, therefore, has the capacity to respond to changing levels of metabolic cues. The cellular and molecular mechanisms that link energy balance and reproduction, as well as the brain sites mediating this function, are still not well understood. This review focuses on the best characterized of the adiposity signals: leptin and insulin. We examine their reproductive role acting on the classic metabolic pathways of the arcuate nucleus, NPY/AgRP and POMC/CART neurons, and the newly identified kisspeptin network. In addition, other hypothalamic nuclei that may play a role in linking metabolic state and reproductive function are discussed. The nature of the interplay between these elements of the metabolic and reproductive systems presents a fascinating puzzle, whose pieces are just beginning to fall into place.

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Figures

Fig. 1

Fig. 1

Schematic representation of candidate brain pathways mediating leptin and insulin actions in reproductive control. Leptin and insulin receptors are distributed in a variety of brain nuclei, but the connections with areas related to reproductive control including the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) and GnRH neurons are unknown. Moreover, although the arcuate nucleus neurons expressing proopiomelanocortin (POMC) or neuropeptide Y (NPY) have been extensively investigated, their projections to the AVPV are not described, and the innervation of GnRH neurons is still controversial. A few studies have also suggested the direct action of insulin in GnRH neurons, but these findings need to be replicated. DMH, dorsomedial nucleus; PMV, premammillary ventral nucleus.

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