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HEREDITAS ›› 2011, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (7): 695-706.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1005.2011.00695

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Research progress in molecular mechanism of animal seasonal reproduction

HUANG Dong-Wei, CHU Ming-Xing   

  1. Key Laboratory of Farm Animal Genetic Resources and Utilization of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
  • Received:2010-11-06 Revised:2011-02-18 Online:2011-07-20 Published:2011-07-25

Abstract: Animal seasonal reproduction involves complicated neuroendocrine processes of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. It is dominantly regulated by photoperiod, a crucial environmental cue. Melatonin, as internal photoperiod signal, regulates seasonal reproduction of animals. In recent years, it has been found that Kiss1/GPR54 system, which may influence GnRH secretion evidently, is regulated by both melatonin and feedback action of gonadal steroid hormones. Consequently, Kiss1/GPR54 system may play a key role in seasonal reproduction. Additionally, there exists another potential retrograde control pathway of seasonal breeding, which involves TSH-DIO2/DIO3 system. TSH-DIO2/ DIO3 system affects synthesis and secretion of GnRH and is regulated by melatonin, as well as Kiss1/GPR54 system. In this article, melatonin signal, especially the research advances of Kiss1/GPR54 system and TSH-DIO2/DIO3 system were reviewed.

Key words: seasonal reproduction, molecular regulation, melatonin, Kiss1, thyroid-stimulating hormone