Influence of adiponectin on onset of puberty

Puberty in humans is a complex process involving a confounding series of hormonal events. Endocrinologically, puberty is defined by the full activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. The onset of puberty is marked by an increase in the secretion of GNRH from the hypothalamus. The KISS1/GPR54 system plays a crucial role in puberty and reproduction. Several studies have also suggested that adiponectin secreted from adipose tissues could also directly regulate reproductive functions. Overexpression of adiponectin impairs female fertility in mice and serum adiponectin levels in boys and girls decrease throughout puberty. These findings suggest that changes in the hypothalamic KISS1 gene may be mediated by adiponectin according to metabolic status.

Wen et al. had earlier shown that adiponectin inhibited GNRH secretion in the hypothalamus. In this study, they further investigated the effect of adiponectin on hypothalamic KISS1 gene transcription, which is the upstream signal of GNRH. They found that adiponectin caused the activation of AMPK in hypothalamic GT1-7 neurons, whereby decreasing the translocation of SP1 from cytoplasm to nucleus; as a result, the promoter activity and transcription levels of KISS1 gene were repressed. The data presented here are the first experimental evidence for the characterisation of reproductive regulation by adiponectin, as well as the involvement of AMPK and SP1 pathways in such a process. Wen et al. (2012) Journal of Endocrinology 214 177-189

Read the full article at: DOI: 10.1530/JOE-12-0054