The role of GabaA receptors in the neural systems of the ventromedial hypothalamus-nucleus infundibular region in the control of GnRH release in ewes during follicular phase.

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To examine the role of the GABAA receptor mediating systems in the control of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) release from the ventromedial-infundibular region (VEN/NI) of the hypothalamus of ewes during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle, the extracellular concentrations of GnRH, beta-endorphin (B-END), noradrenaline (NE), dopamine (DA), and their metabolites MHPG, DOPAC and concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) in blood plasma were quantified during local stimulation or blockade of GABAA receptors with muscimol and bicuculline, respectively. Stimulation of GABAA receptors attenuated GnRH and LH release, increased beta-endorphin outflow and dopaminergic activity but had no evident effect on noradrenergic activity. Blockade of GABAA receptors decreased beta-endorphin release but had no evident effect on the extracellular concentration of GnRH, LH levels in the blood and catecholaminergic activity. It is suggested that suppression of GnRH/LH release under muscimol treatment may result from activation of GABAA receptors on GnRH nerve terminals and through GABAA receptor mechanism activated beta-endorphinergic and dopaminergic neurons in the VEN/NI. Lack of changes in NE and MHPG concentration during stimulation or blockade of GABAA receptors suggests, that during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle the noradrenergic system in the VEN/NI is not involved in the control of GnRH/LH release by GABA.