A CRUCIAL ROLE OF KISSPEPTIN IN REGULATION OF FEMALE REPRODUCTION

Abstract

The discovery of kisspeptins revolutionized knowledge about neuroendocrine control of reproduction in mammals. Neurons producing gonadotropin-releasing hormone in hypothalamus are considered as the primary element governing the gonadal secretion of steroids. However, the discovery of kisspeptins and their receptor (KISS1R) demonstrated the essential role of kisspeptins in the regulation of mammalian reproductive axis, which is governed by the hypothalamic-pituitry-gonadal axis (HPG). The regulation of the female reproductive system is particularly noteworthy, including negative and positive feedback, ovulation, embryo implantation, pregnancy, and lactation. It was shown that KISS-1/KISS1R system is involved in changes of hormonal status associated with these processes. Moreover, kisspeptins are involved in the reception and transmission of environmental signals to the HPG axis. Although kisspeptins are mainly located in brain, numerous studies suggest their production in the ovary. In addition to physiological significance of kisspeptins within ovary, their association with reproductive system pathology was also demonstrated.