The Roles of RFamide-Related Peptide-3 (RFRP-3) in Mammalian Reproductive Function and Behavior

摘要

To maximize reproductive success, organisms restrict breeding to optimal times of day or year, when internal physiology and external environmental conditions are suitable for parent and offspring survival. To appropriately coordinate reproductive activity, internal and external standing is communicated to the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis via a coordinated balance of stimulatory and inhibitory neurochemical systems. The cumulative balance of these mediators ultimately drives the pattern of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion, a neurohormone that stimulates pituitary gonadotropin secretion. Until 2000, a complementary inhibitor of pituitary gonadotropin secretion had not been identified. At this time, Tsutsui and colleagues uncovered a novel, avian hypothalamic peptide capable of inhibiting gonadotropin secretion in cultured quail pituitary cells. We later examined the presence and functional role for the mammalian ortholog of GnIH, RFamide-related peptide (RFRP-3), in mammals, and confirmed a conserved role for this peptide across several rodent species. To date, a similar distribution and functional role for RFRP-3 have been observed across all mammals investigated, including humans. This overview summarizes the role that RFRP-3 plays in mammals and considers the implications and opportunities for further study by those interested in reproductive physiology and the neural control of sexual behavior and motivation.