KISSPEPTIN, A NEW KEY PLAYER IN REPRODUCTION CONTROL

摘要

The discovery of the role of kisspeptin and of its cognate receptor, KISS1R, has been a breakthrough in the understanding of the mechanisms underpinning reproduction and in particular GnRH secretion. The injection of kisspeptin in various mammalian species showed its capacity to stimulate GnRH secretion and to trigger ovulation in anoestrus ewe. This capacity is under the control of sexual hormones that act directly and with opposite effects on the two kisspeptin neuronal populations present in the hypothalamus. There is a clear interest for the use of this molecule in farming and in human medicine although its short half-life has until now hampered its exploitation. The design of analogs with longer half-life represents a possible solution and preliminary results look promising