Role of the hypothalamus in ghrelin effects on reproduction: sperm function and sexual behavior in male mice

PORETTI MB; BIANCONI S; LUQUE E; MARTINI A.C.; VINCENTI L; CANTARELLI VI; TORRES PJ; PONZIO MF; SCHIÖTH, HELGI B.; CARLINI VP

REPRODUCTION

BIOSCIENTIFICA LTD

Lugar: Bristol; Año: 2023 vol. 165 p. 123 - 123

1470-1626

hrelin (GHRL) is an orexigenic peptide that has been investigated as one of the signals responsible for the reproductive performance of mammals under fluctuating metabolic conditions. Central GHRL administration impairs spermatogenesis in mice by regulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis function. In the present study, the hypothalamus role as a mediator of GHRL effects on sperm fertilizing capacity and male sexual behavior was evaluated. After 42 days of hypothalamic GHRL infusion or artificial cerebrospinal fluid, in vitro and in vivo sperm fertilizing capacity, testicular α-tubulin, speriolin gene expression and spermatic α-tubulin protein were evaluated. Hypothalamic expression of genes Kiss1, Gpr54 and Gnrh was also studied. The second group of animals was infused with one time only GHRL or artificial cerebrospinal fluid into the hypothalamus to evaluate the effects on sexual behavior. Results demonstrated that chronic GHRL administration to male mice significa