Neuropeptides as regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis activity and their putative roles in stress-induced fertility disorders.

Miłosz Gołyszny, Ewa Obuchowicz, Michał Zieliński

Neuropeptides 2022 Feb

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Neuropeptides being regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, also affect the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by regulating gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from hypothalamic neurons. Here, we review the available data on how neuropeptides affect HPG axis activity directly or indirectly via their influence on the HPA axis. The putative role of neuropeptides in stress-induced infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, is also described. This review discusses both well-known neuropeptides (i.e., kisspeptin, Kp; oxytocin, OT; arginine-vasopressin, AVP) and more recently discovered peptides (i.e., relaxin-3, RLN-3; nesfatin-1, NEFA; phoenixin, PNX; spexin, SPX). For the first time, we present an up-to-date review of all published data regarding interactions between the aforementioned neuropeptide systems. The reviewed literature suggest new pathophysiological mechanisms leading to fertility disturbances that are induced by stress. Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Miłosz Gołyszny, Ewa Obuchowicz, Michał Zieliński. Neuropeptides as regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis activity and their putative roles in stress-induced fertility disorders. Neuropeptides. 2022 Feb;91:102216