Abstract
This chapter summarizes the current body of knowledge regarding the neuroanatomy of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/kisspeptin system controlling fertility. It focuses on contributions made using recent techniques, including cell-type-specific, promoter-driven labeling with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and other fluorescent biomarkers, tissue clearing, expansion microscopy, optogenetics, and viral tracing, to the anatomical characterization of hypothalamic GnRH and kisspeptin neurons as well as to the identification of their synaptic and non-synaptic inputs and outputs in transgenic mice and rats. Among the major findings are that GnRH neurons possess structures, termed “dendrons,” exhibiting properties of both dendrites and axons, that inputs to the GnRH neuron soma-proximal dendritic zone and to GnRH neuron distal dendrons from kisspeptin neurons differentially control pulsatile and surge GnRH secretion, and that GnRH and kisspeptin neurons receive inputs from neurons in multiple hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic areas that convey endocrine, metabolic, and environmental (including circadian, pheromonal, and social behavior-related) signals known to impact fertility.
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