Abstract
Pheromones can have profound effects on reproductive physiology and behavior in mammals. To investigate the neural circuits underlying these effects, we used a genetic transneuronal tracer to identify neurons that synapse with GnRH (LHRH) neurons, the key regulators of reproduction. We then asked whether the connected neurons are presynaptic or postsynaptic to GnRH neurons and analyzed their responses to chemosensory cues. Surprisingly, these experiments indicate that GnRH neurons receive pheromone signals from both odor and pheromone relays in the brain and may also receive common odor signals. Moreover, feedback loops are evident whereby GnRH neurons could influence both odor and pheromone processing. Remarkably, approximately 800 GnRH neurons communicate with approximately 50,000 neurons in 53 functionally diverse brain areas, with some connections exhibiting sexual dimorphism. These studies reveal a complex interplay between reproduction and other functions in which GnRH neurons appear to integrate information from multiple sources and modulate a variety of brain functions.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amygdala / chemistry
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Amygdala / cytology
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Animals
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Brain / cytology
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Brain / drug effects
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Brain / metabolism
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Cell Count
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Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 3 / analysis
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Feedback, Psychological / physiology
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Female
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Gene Expression / drug effects
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Gene Expression / genetics
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Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / genetics
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Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / physiology
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Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
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Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
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Immunohistochemistry
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Transgenic
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Neural Pathways / cytology
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Neural Pathways / drug effects
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Neural Pathways / physiology*
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Neurons / cytology
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Neurons / drug effects
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Neurons / physiology
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Odorants*
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Olfactory Pathways / chemistry
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Olfactory Pathways / cytology
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Olfactory Pathways / physiology
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Plant Lectins / genetics
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Protein Precursors / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism
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Reproduction / physiology*
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Sesquiterpenes / pharmacology
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Sex Attractants / pharmacology
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Sex Attractants / physiology*
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Sexual Behavior, Animal / physiology
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Synaptic Transmission / physiology
Substances
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Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 3
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Plant Lectins
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Protein Precursors
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
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Sesquiterpenes
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Sex Attractants
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Slc1a1 protein, mouse
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barley lectin
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progonadoliberin I
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Green Fluorescent Proteins
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Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
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alpha-farnesene