Fernandez-Fernandez R, Martini A C, Navarro V M, Castellano J M, Dieguez C, Aguilar E, Pinilla L, Tena-Sempere M
Physiology Section, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2006 Jul 25;254-255:127-32. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2006.04.026. Epub 2006 Jun 8.
Although the close link between body weight and fertility has been known for eons, only recently have the peripheral signals and neuroendocrine networks responsible for such a phenomenon begun to be identified. A key event in this field was the cloning of the adipocyte-derived hormone leptin, which has been demonstrated as a pivotal regulator for the integration of energy homeostasis and reproduction. In addition, other metabolic hormones, such as insulin, contribute to this physiological integration. Moreover, compelling experimental evidence implicates hormonal products of the gastrointestinal tract as adjuncts in the complex coordination and regulation of body weight and reproduction. Here, we review recent studies evaluating the reproductive effects and sites of action of ghrelin and PYY3-36, two hormonal signals of gastrointestinal origin involved in the control food intake and energy balance. In addition, we summarize the potential contribution of kisspeptin, the recently characterized gatekeeper of the GnRH system encoded by Kiss1 gene, to integrating reproductive function and energy status. Evidence suggests that besides having direct gonadal effects, ghrelin may participate in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion and it may influence the timing of puberty. Likewise, PYY3-36 modulates GnRH and gonadotropin release. In addition, the hypothalamic KiSS-1 system is sensitive to nutritional status, and its diminished expression during states of negative energy balance might contribute to the suppression of reproductive function in such conditions. We propose that the peripheral hormones, ghrelin and PYY3-36, and the central neuropeptide, kisspeptin, are 'novel' players in the neuroendocrine networks that integrate energy balance and reproduction.
尽管体重与生育能力之间的紧密联系早已为人所知，但直到最近，负责这一现象的外周信号和神经内分泌网络才开始被识别。该领域的一个关键事件是脂肪细胞衍生激素瘦素的克隆，它已被证明是能量稳态与生殖整合的关键调节因子。此外，其他代谢激素，如胰岛素，也参与了这种生理整合。此外，有确凿的实验证据表明，胃肠道的激素产物在体重和生殖的复杂协调与调节中起辅助作用。在这里，我们回顾了最近的研究，这些研究评估了胃饥饿素和PYY3-36这两种源自胃肠道、参与控制食物摄入和能量平衡的激素信号的生殖效应及作用位点。此外，我们总结了亲吻素（由Kiss1基因编码的GnRH系统最近被确定的守门人）在整合生殖功能和能量状态方面的潜在作用。有证据表明，胃饥饿素除了对性腺有直接作用外，可能还参与促性腺激素分泌的调节，并且可能影响青春期的时间。同样，PYY3-36调节GnRH和促性腺激素的释放。此外，下丘脑的KiSS-1系统对营养状况敏感，在负能量平衡状态下其表达降低可能导致这种情况下生殖功能的抑制。我们认为，外周激素胃饥饿素和PYY3-36以及中枢神经肽亲吻素是整合能量平衡和生殖的神经内分泌网络中的“新”参与者。
