Journal of Neuroendocrinology最新文献

{"title":"Neuroendocrine tumours through an epigenetic lens: Emerging insights for diagnosis and treatment","authors":"Victoria Jacquot,&nbsp;Benjamin Chevalier,&nbsp;Thomas Walter,&nbsp;Benjamin Gibert,&nbsp;Maria Ouzounova","doi":"10.1111/jne.70211","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jne.70211","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are well-differentiated epithelial neuroendocrine neoplasms that frequently develop in the small intestine, pancreas, and lungs. NETs originate from neuroendocrine cells specialized in hormone secretion implicated in a number of physiological processes. Their malignant transformation is characterized by low mutational burden, suggesting that epigenetic mechanisms may be at play. Recent understanding of epigenetic events driving cancer cell plasticity and tumour initiation has led to advances in the diagnosis and prognosis of NETs. Here, we provide a brief overview of NETs, including their current diagnosis and management, and present recent progress in understanding the role of epigenetic regulation, highlighting how this may influence NET tumorigenesis and may be used in therapeutic applications. Finally, this literature review emphasizes the need to gather more data on these rare malignancies to improve patient outcome.</p>","PeriodicalId":16535,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neuroendocrinology","volume":"38 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jne.70211","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148199480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lateral hypothalamic melanin concentrating hormone-expressing neurons both promote and are required for cue-potentiated feeding","authors":"Lauren M. Raycraft,&nbsp;Bingxin Mo,&nbsp;Allison Doneth,&nbsp;Jenna Lee-Tanner,&nbsp;Alexander W. Johnson","doi":"10.1111/jne.70210","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jne.70210","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Food-related stimuli can promote feeding behaviors independent of metabolic need. Cue-potentiated feeding (CPF) studies in rodents offer the potential to reveal the psychobiological mechanisms underlying learned overeating behaviors. We examined whether lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) cells expressing the feeding signal Melanin Concentrating Hormone (MCH) are sufficient and necessary for CPF. Tg(Pmch-Cre) mice received bilateral infusion of the Cre-dependent inhibitory DREADD (hM4Di), or optrode placement together with the excitatory opsin ChR2. Mice received food deprivation by restricting access to two daily meal pellets. Once weight reached ~90% from baseline, Pavlovian training commenced, in which a tone or noise conditioned stimulus (CS+) predicted the delivery of a sucrose solution, whereas a second CS− was unpaired with sucrose delivery. Following a minimum of 2 days of ad-libitum pellet access, mice underwent CPF testing, where the amount of licking for sucrose in the presence of the CS+ and CS− cues was assessed. In both the chemogenetic and optogenetic studies, control mice displayed CPF as evidenced by increased lick rate during the CS+ compared to the CS−. hM4Di-mediated inhibition of LHA MCH cells significantly impaired CPF through disrupting the capacity for the CS+ to increase the mean size of licking bursts, a measure thought to index the orosensory taste properties of sucrose. By contrast, optogenetic stimulation of LHA MCH cells enhanced CPF relative to eYFP-treated controls. Our findings support a critical role for MCH-expressing neurons in the LHA in learned overeating behavior.</p>","PeriodicalId":16535,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neuroendocrinology","volume":"38 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jne.70210","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148163447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hypothalamic innervation of the claustrum: Implications for memory, spatial navigation, and sleep–wake regulation","authors":"Marie Barbier,&nbsp;Pierre-Yves Risold","doi":"10.1111/jne.70212","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jne.70212","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The posterior hypothalamus comprises several structures involved in memory formation. Among these, neuronal populations of the lateral hypothalamus, such as melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons, and the mammillary nuclei have been extensively studied. Several of these structures or populations project to the claustrum, a small subcortical region with extensive cortical connections. It has been hypothesized that the claustrum plays a pivotal role in consciousness and cognitive integration, suggesting an indirect or complementary role in mnemonic processes. However, the role of hypothalamic–claustral connections has been largely neglected. Therefore, the objective of this review is to analyze the projection patterns from specific hypothalamic tuberal neuron populations (MCH, orexin, histamine) and the supramammillary nucleus (SUM) to the claustrum, to determine whether these anatomical features can provide insights into their potential functions and stimulate further research in this domain. The SUM provides robust, specific projections to the claustrum, suggesting that these projections are part of a specialized network. Given that both the claustrum and SUM connect to the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, it is plausible that the SUM–claustrum pathway plays a role in spatial memory encoding and representation. In contrast, the tuberal lateral hypothalamus exhibits a different projection pattern to the claustrum. MCH neurons provide significant diffuse innervation to this nucleus and surrounding cortex, while histaminergic and orexinergic projections are more scattered, targeting mostly adjacent tissues. The distribution of various receptors for these neuropeptides and neurotransmitters within the claustrum suggests functional relevance in regulating non-specific modulation of neuronal activity. These projections may be more closely related to sleep–wake regulation and, consequently, to the consolidation of episodic memory. This review highlights that hypothalamic projections to the claustrum illustrate the dual role of this small structure at the intersection of cognitive and physiological processes. The claustrum, involved in arousal and episodic memory on one hand, and spatial navigation associated with specific behavioral expression on the other, could be conceptualized as an integrative hub that coordinates cortical activity according to behavioral state (sleep/wake) through convergent cortical and subcortical inputs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16535,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neuroendocrinology","volume":"38 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148156150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) on the quality of life in patients with neuroendocrine tumours","authors":"H. Fernando,&nbsp;I. Vito,&nbsp;N. Santillan,&nbsp;G. Gnanasegaran,&nbsp;A. M. Quigley,&nbsp;A. Grossman,&nbsp;A. R. Hayes,&nbsp;D. Mandair,&nbsp;C. Toumpanakis,&nbsp;M. Caplin,&nbsp;S. Navalkissoor","doi":"10.1111/jne.70201","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jne.70201","url":null,"abstract":"<p>As peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) maintains a key role in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), there is growing recognition of the importance of evaluating patient-reported health related quality of life (HRQoL). To assess this impact meaningfully, validated instruments such as the <i>European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer</i> (EORTC) quality of life questionnaires are invaluable. This study aims to evaluate the impact of PRRT on the HRQoL of patients with NETs, using generic cancer and GI-NET-specific EORTC questionnaires to provide a comprehensive understanding of how PRRT influences patient wellbeing beyond traditional clinical endpoints. Between 2015 and 2025, patients who underwent PRRT at Royal Free London Hospital, and consented to this study, completed GI.NET21 and C30 questionnaires before PRRT is administered at each cycle. Patients who completed the pre-therapy questionnaire and at least one post-PRRT questionnaire were included in this study. The response format of both questionnaires is a 4-point Likert scale. Responses to the questionnaire were linearly transformed to a 0–100 scale using EORTC guidelines. A mean score difference &gt;5 between any treatment cycles was considered clinically relevant, and <i>p</i> &lt;.05 was considered statistically significant. GI.NET HRQoL questionnaire was completed by 267 patients, and C30 questionnaires by 147 patients. There was a statistically significant improvement between the pre-therapy score and all post PRRT treatment cycle scores in symptom scales, disease-related worries, and social function with GI.NET 21. This improvement was visible even after one PRRT cycle. A non-statistically significant improvement in overall score was seen in the pre therapy score and the third post therapy score in the C30 questionnaire. PRRT improves the quality of life and disease-specific concerns of NETs using a NET-specific HRQoL assessment tool.</p>","PeriodicalId":16535,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neuroendocrinology","volume":"38 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148156496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Facial mimicry to infant and adult emotions in mothers and non-mothers","authors":"Hanneli Sinisalo,&nbsp;Sonja Veistola,&nbsp;Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg,&nbsp;Mikko J. Peltola","doi":"10.1111/jne.70206","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jne.70206","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A key aspect of parent–infant interaction is parental mirroring of infant emotions through facial mimicry, the automatic imitation of observed facial expressions. Facial mimicry can be measured using facial electromyography (EMG) and has been associated with empathic abilities, such as recognizing others' emotions. Currently, there is no research investigating how such empathy-related processes might change during the transition to parenthood. In this study, we compared first-time mothers of young infants and non-mothers in their physiological responses in two facial muscle areas (corrugator supercilii and zygomaticus major) to dynamic emotional infant and adult faces. In addition, we examined whether the EMG responses are associated with salivary testosterone levels. Participants performed an emotion recognition task with dynamic infant and adult emotional expressions changing between happy and distressed expressions while facial mimicry was measured with EMG. Mothers showed a more pronounced zygomaticus response specifically to smiling infant faces, and a greater corrugator response to faces changing to distress, regardless of stimulus age. Non-mothers' zygomaticus response to infant smiles was inversely associated with testosterone level. No other correlations between testosterone and EMG responses were found. These results indicate that new mothers may show heightened affective empathic reactivity especially to infant emotions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16535,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neuroendocrinology","volume":"38 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jne.70206","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148100620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"KNDy kisspeptin is required for metabolic homeostasis in female mice in an ovarian hormone-independent manner","authors":"Nimisha Nandankar,&nbsp;Ariel L. Negrón,&nbsp;Harshini Ganesh,&nbsp;Natalia Youssef,&nbsp;Saad Farooq,&nbsp;Sarmed Al-Samerria,&nbsp;Jon E. Levine,&nbsp;Sally Radovick","doi":"10.1111/jne.70208","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jne.70208","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Disorders of gonadotropin pulsatility contribute to reproductive dysfunction in humans and are often associated with metabolic dysfunction. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is characterized by chronically insufficient gonadotropin hormone production, leading to reproductive and metabolic impairments, such as infertility and obesity. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by accelerated gonadotropin hormone production leading to reproductive and metabolic deficits, including oligomenorrhea, infertility, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hypothalamic kisspeptin is a key regulator of gonadotropin secretion, and disruptions in kisspeptin signaling result in abnormal gonadotropin pulsatility. Emerging evidence also implicates kisspeptin in energy metabolism. This study investigates the neuroendocrine mechanisms by which kisspeptin within KNDy neurons influences metabolic homeostasis. Using a Pdyn-Cre/<i>Kiss1</i>^fl/fl knock-out (<i>Kiss1</i>^Pdyn KO) mouse model, we combined diet-induced obesity, metabolic testing, and ovarian hormone depletion to assess the role of KNDy neuron kisspeptin in metabolic regulation and the interaction with sex steroids. Peripheral metabolism was more severely impacted in <i>Kiss1</i>^Pdyn KO females than in KO males, with greater reproductive deficits observed in females. Abnormal glucose metabolism was partly attributable to the lack of ovarian steroids. Our findings indicate that loss of KNDy neuron kisspeptin in females promotes obesity through reduced energy expenditure without altering feeding behavior. Furthermore, this study identifies a female-biased role for KNDy kisspeptin as a central integrator of reproductive and metabolic signals.</p>","PeriodicalId":16535,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neuroendocrinology","volume":"38 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jne.70208","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148138488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seasonal profiles of circulating steroids and brain steroid-related gene expression in Gymnotus omarorum, a wild fish with year-round territorial aggression","authors":"G. Valiño,&nbsp;C. Jalabert,&nbsp;J. Farías,&nbsp;J. R. Sotelo-Silveira,&nbsp;K. K. Soma,&nbsp;L. Quintana","doi":"10.1111/jne.70205","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jne.70205","url":null,"abstract":"<p><i>Gymnotus omarorum</i> is a teleost fish in which both males and females maintain territorial aggression year-round, despite exhibiting a seasonal reproductive cycle. This provides a unique opportunity to examine seasonal neuroendocrine mechanisms across reproductive states. As a teleost, <i>G. omarorum</i> extends our understanding of these neuroendocrine patterns beyond birds and mammals, offering a comparative framework for investigating seasonal neuroendocrine reorganization across the vertebrate reproductive cycle. We quantified eight circulating steroids by LC–MS/MS and measured the expression of steroid-related genes (aromatase, estrogen receptors, and an androgen receptor) by qRT-PCR in three nuclei of the social behavior network in wild breeding and non-breeding males and females. Circulating 11-ketotestosterone in males and estrogens in females showed no marked seasonality. In contrast, androstenedione, a steroid precursor for both androgens and estrogens, was elevated during the non-breeding season in both sexes. This increase was accompanied by upregulation of brain aromatase and estrogen receptor expression, suggesting an enhanced capacity for local estrogen synthesis and signaling outside the breeding period. These results reveal coordinated seasonal shifts in circulating steroid precursors and neural estrogenic pathways that covary with reproductive state, shedding light on the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying seasonal transitions in vertebrates.</p>","PeriodicalId":16535,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neuroendocrinology","volume":"38 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148100624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prenatal cold-induced sympathetic stress programs long-term cardiac β-adrenergic dysregulation and metabolic impairment in female rat offspring","authors":"Beatriz Piquer,&nbsp;Alfonso H. Paredes,&nbsp;Gonzalo Cruz,&nbsp;Hernán E. Lara","doi":"10.1111/jne.70204","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jne.70204","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Gestational cold-induced sympathetic stress increases maternal norepinephrine (NE) release, thereby altering the fetal environment and enhancing fetal NE exposure. This prenatal insult contributes to developmental programming, leading to long-term cardiovascular alterations. While most studies have focused on male offspring, we investigated the impact of gestational cold-induced sympathetic stress on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes in female progeny. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to intermittent cold stress without hypothermia (4°C for 3 h daily), and their female offspring were evaluated at postnatal days 20 and 60. Hearts were analyzed for β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) mRNA expression, protein abundance, receptor binding affinity, and NE concentration. In addition, in vivo glucose tolerance and cardiovascular responses to isoproterenol (ISO) were assessed. Stressed female offspring showed increased ventricular weight at 20 and 60 days without significant changes in cardiac NE content. β₁AR mRNA levels were elevated at day 20 in the stressed group, but not at day 60. β₂AR mRNA expression was also increased at day 20, and the β₁/β₂ receptor ratio was higher at day 20. Radioligand binding revealed reduced βAR affinity at day 60, despite unaltered receptor density. ISO treatment in vivo led to 40% mortality by the third day in stressed females without mortality in control female offspring. Metabolically, adult female offspring displayed glucose intolerance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia, consistent with insulin resistance. These results indicate that prenatal cold-induced sympathetic stress induces long-lasting alterations in cardiac β-adrenergic signaling and metabolic regulation in female offspring, highlighting a vulnerability to cardiometabolic dysfunction.</p>","PeriodicalId":16535,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neuroendocrinology","volume":"38 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148055058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations of PYY, GLP-1 and LEAP2 with changes in feeding-related cognition, body weight and glucose homeostasis after bariatric surgery in non-diabetic women","authors":"María F. Andreoli,&nbsp;Pablo N. De Francesco,&nbsp;Wei Zhou,&nbsp;Olga E. Titova,&nbsp;Ahmed Alsehli,&nbsp;Robert Fredriksson,&nbsp;Magnus Sundbom,&nbsp;Mario Perello,&nbsp;Helgi B. Schiöth","doi":"10.1111/jne.70207","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jne.70207","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is an effective surgical intervention for severe obesity, but the role of gastrointestinal hormones in its benefits remains unclear. We examined longitudinal pre-to-post-meal gastrointestinal hormone changes and their relationships with glucose homeostasis and feeding-related cognitive responses in women undergoing RYGB. Seventeen non-diabetic women were evaluated pre-RYGB (Visit 1, V1), 1-month post-RYGB (Visit 2, V2), and 1-year post-RYGB (Visit 3, V3). Plasma glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), ghrelin, and liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) were measured before and after a breakfast in all visits. Appetite ratings and feeding-related cognitive performance were evaluated using visual analog scales, Ideal Portion Size, and Food Stroop tasks. At V3, RYGB induced weight loss (30.8%) and improved glucose homeostasis (<i>p</i> = .020), accompanied by reduced hunger (<i>p</i> = .042), smaller self-reported ideal portion size (<i>p</i> &lt; .001), and improved cognitive control toward food-cues (<i>p</i> = .002). Fasting GLP-1 and PYY levels remained stable across visits but showed enhanced post-meal responses at V2 and V3 (GLP-1: <i>p</i> &lt; .001; PYY: <i>p</i> = .013). Ghrelin levels increased post-RYGB (<i>p</i> = .010) without post-meal variation. LEAP2 concentrations remained stable. Fasting LEAP2 correlated positively with BMI at V1 (<i>p</i> &lt; .001). Fasting PYY correlated inversely with BMI at V3 (<i>p</i> = .005), and its post-meal rise inversely correlated with ideal portion size at V1 (<i>p</i> = .022). GLP-1 increments negatively correlated with ideal portion size (<i>p</i> = .007) at all visits and glycemia (<i>p</i> = .017) at V1. In non-diabetic women, RYGB improves feeding-related cognitive processes. BMI is associated with LEAP2 only pre-surgery, and with PYY 1-year post-RYGB. Restoration of GLP-1 and PYY post-meal increments contributes to metabolic and behavioral improvements.</p><p><b>Clinical Trial Registry:</b> This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01815216. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01815216.</p>","PeriodicalId":16535,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neuroendocrinology","volume":"38 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jne.70207","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148055110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pulsatile LH release in male and female Sprague Dawley and Wistar rats in different reproductive states","authors":"Nabil Nasri,&nbsp;Vincent Prevot,&nbsp;Daniela Fernandois","doi":"10.1111/jne.70209","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jne.70209","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study aims to provide a detailed characterization of luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatility in male and female Sprague–Dawley and Wistar rats, utilizing a minimally invasive tail-tip blood sampling approach across various reproductive states. LH levels were measured in sequential blood samples collected from the tail tip using ultrasensitive ELISA, in both sexes and across different reproductive states. LH pulse frequency, amplitude, pattern and baseline levels were analyzed in intact and gonadectomized rats to assess strain differences and estrous cycle variation. Additionally, we evaluate LH hormonal changes in dams at day 7, 14, and 21 of gestation and lactation. LH pulse frequency and pattern were comparable between the strains in both sexes. In females, LH pulsatility varied across the estrous cycle, peaking during Metestrus and decreasing during Estrus. Gonadectomy elicited a marked increase in LH secretion in both sexes, reflected by higher amplitude and baseline levels at 6- and 10-min interval sampling, while the increase of pulse frequency was only observed at 6-min sampling. The LH surge during Proestrus exhibited substantial temporal variability, with most animals attaining peak levels between late afternoon and early night, aligning with previous observations. During gestation, LH secretion remained pulsatile, with stable frequency but increased amplitude. In lactating females, the restoration of baseline but not pulsatile LH secretion upon the removal of the sucking stimulus was unexpectedly rapid. Collectively, these results demonstrate conserved yet distinct patterns of LH secretion across sex, strain, and reproductive states, strengthening the idea that the rat is a good model for integrative neuroendocrine studies of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, and that the tail-tip sampling method is a reliable, humane, and minimally stressful approach for monitoring LH dynamics in rats.</p>","PeriodicalId":16535,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neuroendocrinology","volume":"38 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jne.70209","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148055048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}