Synchronization of Ca(2+) oscillations among primate LHRH neurons and nonneuronal cells in vitro.

Periodic release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) from the hypothalamus is essential for normal reproductive function. Pulsatile LHRH release appears to result from the synchronous activity of LHRH neurons. However, how the activity of these neurons is synchronized to release LHRH peptide in a pulsatile manner is unclear. Because there is little evidence of physical coupling among LHRH neurons in the hypothalamus, we hypothesized that the activity of LHRH neurons might be coordinated by indirect intercellular communication via intermediary (nonneural) cells rather than direct interneural coupling. In this study, we used an in vitro preparation of LHRH neurons derived from the olfactory placode of monkey embryos to assess whether nonneuronal cells, play a role in coordinating LHRH neuronal activity. We found that cultured LHRH neurons and nonneuronal cells both exhibit spontaneous oscillations in the concentration of intracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)) at similar frequencies. Moreover, Ca(2+) oscillations in both types of cell were periodically synchronized. Synchronized Ca(2+) oscillations spread as intercellular Ca(2+) waves across fields of cells that included LHRH neurons and nonneuronal cells, although waves spread at a higher velocity among LHRH neurons. These results suggest that LHRH neurons and nonneuronal cells are functionally integrated and that nonneuronal cells could be involved in synchronizing the activity of the LHRH neurosecretory network.