UMass Chan Affiliations
Department of Cell BiologyDocument Type
Journal ArticlePublication Date
2007-08-22Keywords
Animals*Cell Movement
Chemokine CXCL12
Chemokines, CXC
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
Humans
Hypogonadism
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
Kallmann Syndrome
Nerve Growth Factors
Neurons
Olfactory Pathways
Prosencephalon
Protein Precursors
Receptors, CXCR4
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
*Reproduction
*Signal Transduction
Tumor Suppressor Proteins
Cell Biology
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Neurons that synthesize and secrete the decapeptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone-1 (GnRH-1) to control the reproductive axis originate in the olfactory placode/vomeronasal organ of the olfactory system of mammals and migrate along vomeronasal nerves to the cribriform plate, which marks the boundary between the peripheral olfactory system and the forebrain. Migrating GnRH-1 neurons follow a branch of the vomeronasal nerve caudally into the hypothalamus, where they extend processes to the median eminence and halt their migration. The release of GnRH-1 into the capillaries of the median eminence starts the cascade that activates pituitary gonadotropin (luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone) production and secretion. Failure of these neurons to complete their migration results in failure of the reproductive axis. In some cases, failed migration is linked to the loss of the sense of smell (anosmia). The mechanisms that regulate migration of GnRH-1 neurons along this complex pathway are incompletely understood. Recent studies have revealed an important role for a series of strategically located soluble factors that regulate different aspects of GnRH-1 neuron migration at specific locations along their migratory route. This review focuses on the different mechanisms used by these factors to regulate migration of GnRH-1 neurons.Source
Semin Reprod Med. 2007 Sep;25(5):305-12. Link to article on publisher's siteDOI
10.1055/s-2007-984736Permanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/48924PubMed ID
17710726Related Resources
Link to Article in PubMedae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1055/s-2007-984736