Glutamatergic regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons

Abstract

This chapter discusses glutamatergic regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. The control of the secretory activity of GnRH producing neurons requires complex integration of sensory, seasonal, and behavioral cues, as well as feedback interactions with the gonadal steroids. Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and its functions and mechanisms of action are extensively studied in extrahypothalamic sites, such as the hippocampus and the Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. The chapter also explains the role of glutamate in the regulation of GnRH secretion. This chapter summarizes the numerous studies that have been conducted to define the sites and mechanisms of action of glutamate in the regulation of GnRH secretion. In general, the studies have examined various aspects of an involvement of ionotropic glutamate receptor channels when data on a possible role of the metabotropic receptor class in the control of GnRH neurons are not available. The chapter also discusses the expression of glutamate receptor subunits in GnRH neurons.