Modification of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) mRNA expression in the retinal-recipient Thalamus

General and Comparative Endocrinology
C M ForanAndrew H Bass

Abstract

Although the environmental cues that trigger reproductive behaviors are known for many species, the mechanisms through which these signals influence the neurochemistry of the brain to produce behavior have been elusive. In this study, we describe a retinally modulated system of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) producing neurons in the thalamus of the plainfin midshipman fish, Porichthys notatus. Previously, we cloned and sequenced the cDNA for prepro-GnRH in midshipman. Here, using in situ hybridization, we localized prepro-GnRH mRNA to the ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus, three divisions of the preoptic area, the ganglion of the terminal nerve, and the olfactory bulb. Since the thalamus, terminal nerve ganglion, and preoptic area have been associated with visual functions, we investigated the retinal connections in midshipman. In particular, biocytin tract tracing delineated a reciprocal connection between the ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus and the retina. Retinofugal projections are exclusively contralateral. Experimental manipulation of this retinalthalamic loop through complete optic nerve transection shows that GnRH mRNA expression in the contralateral ventrolateral nucleus may be influenced by the retina...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1991·Brain, Behavior and Evolution·M S Grober, A H Bass
Oct 1, 1991·Journal of Neurobiology·M S GroberA H Bass
Jan 1, 1991·Brain, Behavior and Evolution·R G Northcutt, A B Butler
Jan 1, 1990·Brain, Behavior and Evolution·G F Striedter
Dec 1, 1990·Journal of Neurobiology·M R Davis, R D Fernald
Jun 13, 1983·Brain Research·D L Edwards, B Grafstein
Aug 29, 1995·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·S A WhiteR D Fernald

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Citations

Oct 19, 2010·Hormones and Behavior·Paul M Forlano, Andrew H Bass
Oct 1, 2008·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Sophie St-Cyr, Nadia Aubin-Horth
Oct 11, 2005·Behavioural Brain Research·Earl T LarsonRichard H Melloni
Aug 26, 1998·General and Comparative Endocrinology·C M Foran, A H Bass
Aug 30, 2014·Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology·Paul M ForlanoAndrew H Bass
Jun 22, 2000·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·J L Goodson, A H Bass
Apr 20, 2018·Brain, Behavior and Evolution·Ian G G PengraAndrew H Bass
Mar 29, 2007·Brain, Behavior and Evolution·Karen P Maruska, Timothy C Tricas

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