The neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR) has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Central administration of neuropeptide S (NPS) in male mice produces anxiolytic-like effects, hyperlocomotion, and memory enhancement. Currently, the literature is limited in the number of studies investigating the effects of NPS in female test subjects despite females facing a higher prevalence of anxiety-related pathology, as well as greater risk for adverse effects while taking psychoactive drugs. Moreover, no previous studies have considered the influence of estrous cycle on the effects of NPS. The present study investigates whether NPS-mediated behavioral phenotypes seen in males translate to females, and whether they are affected by estrous cycle stage. Female C57BL/6NCr mice were intracerebroventricularly cannulated and underwent behavioral paradigms to test locomotion, anxiety, and memory. Estrous cycle stage was determined through examination of vaginal cytology. Our results provide evidence that NPS-mediated behaviors are influenced by the estrous cycle. Administration of NPS decreased anxiety-like behaviors more robustly when the female mice were in high estrogen stages of the estrous cycle. Therefore, the desired anxiolytic-like effects of targeting the NPSR are intact in female mice. However, these effects may to be influenced by the stage of the estrous cycle. The NPSR remains a strong potential drug target for new anxiolytic compounds and based on our initial observations further studies exploring the interaction of estrous cycle and the NPS system are warranted. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The neuropeptide S (NPS) receptor has been identified as a potential target for treating anxiety, a condition that is most prevalent in females. Therefore, the potential interaction of estrous cycle with the NPS system described in the present study is an important first step in understanding the function of the NPS system in females.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1124/jpet.124.002415 | DOI Listing |
Reprod Sci
January 2025
Era College of Pharmacy, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
PCOS is a common endocrine disorder in women particularly in their reproductive age. GABA has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PCOS through its central role in the hypothalamus. Hence, in this study we investigated the effect of Nipecotic acid (NPA) in Letrozole induced PCOS in female Wistar rats as NPA has been proven as a GABA uptake inhibitor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReprod Toxicol
January 2025
Reproductive Genetics Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China.
Prepubertal chemotherapy induced ovarian damage poses a significant threat to female fertility, particularly following cyclophosphamide (CP) treatment. Humanin (HNG), a small molecule polypeptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA, has a variety of effects, this study aimed to investigate the protective effects of HNG and its combination with conventional Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRHa) on ovarian function in a CP-induced damage model. The 21-day-old C57BL/6J female mice were randomly assigned to six groups: Control, CP model, HNG, HNG+CP, GnRHa+CP, and HNG+GnRHa+CP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVet Res Commun
January 2025
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-Cho, 183-8509, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan.
This study investigated, for the first time, the alterations in the uterine echotexture and blood flow in cyclic and acyclic (inactive ovary) goats using ultrasonography. The study aimed also to evaluate the metabolomic changes in the plasma of cyclic and acyclic goats. Furthermore, the histopathological approach was applied to the specimens of the uterus to validate the findings of this study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReprod Fertil Dev
January 2025
Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
Context The adipose tissue produces adipokines - hormones essential to many biological functions, including reproduction. Aims We hypothesised that resistin, one of the adipokines, is present in the blood plasma, uterine luminal flushings (ULF) and uterus of pigs during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy, and that resistin influences uterine steroidogenesis. Methods This study aimed to determine the expression of resistin in the porcine endometrium and myometrium during the cycle and pregnancy by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot (WB).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFElife
January 2025
Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Downing site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons represent the key output cells of the neural network controlling mammalian fertility. We used GCaMP fiber photometry to record the population activity of the GnRH neuron distal projections in the ventral arcuate nucleus where they merge before entering the median eminence to release GnRH into the portal vasculature. Recordings in freely behaving intact male and female mice revealed abrupt ~8 min duration increases in activity that correlated perfectly with the appearance of a subsequent pulse of luteinizing hormone (LH).
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