Implication of dopaminergic systems on GnRH and GnRHR genes expression in the hypothalamus and GnRH-R gene expression in the anterior pituitary gland of anestrous ewes.

We examined by Real-time PCR how prolonged inhibition of dopaminergic D-2 receptors (DA-2) in the hypothalamus of anestrous ewes by infusion of sulpiride into the third cerebral ventricle affected GnRH and GnRH-R gene expression in discrete parts of this structure and GnRH-R gene expression in the anterior pituitary. Blockaded DA-2 receptors significantly decreased GnRH mRNA levels in the ventromedial hypothalamus but did not evidently affect GnRH mRNA in the preoptic/ anteriorhypothalamicarea. Blockaded DA-2 receptors led to different responses in GnRH-R mRNA in various parts of the hypothalamus; increased GnRH-R mRNA levels in the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area, and decreased GnRH-R mRNA amounts in the ventromedial hypothalamus stalk/median eminence. An infusion of sulpiride into the III-rd ventricle increased GnRH mRNA levels in the anterior pituitary gland and LH secretion. It is suggested that the increase of GnRH gene expression in the anterior pituitary gland and LH secretion in sulpiride-treated ewes are related with an increase of biosynthesis GnRH with concomitant decreased biosynthesis of GnRH-R protein in the ventromedial hypothalamus/stalk median eminence allowing to an increase of GnRH release.