Effects of undernutrition and low energy availability on reproductive functions and their underlying neuroendocrine mechanisms

Abstract

It has been well established that undernutrition and low energy availability disturb female reproductive functions in humans and many animal species. These reproductive dysfunctions are mainly caused by alterations of some hypothalamic factors, and consequent reduction of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Evidence from literature suggests that increased activity of orexigenic factors and decreased activity of anorexigenic/satiety-related factors in undernourished conditions attenuate GnRH secretion in an integrated manner. Likewise, the activity of kisspeptin neurons, which is a potent stimulator of GnRH, is also reduced in undernourished conditions. In addition, it has been suggested that gonadotrophininhibitory hormone, which has anti-GnRH and gonadotrophic effects, may be involved in reproductive dysfunctions under several kinds of stress conditions. It should be remembered that these alterations, i.e., promotion of feeding behavior and temporary suppression of reproductive functions, are induced to prioritize the survival of individual over that of species, and that improvements in metabolic and nutritional conditions should be considered with the highest priority.

Adiponectin inhibits GnRH secretion via activating AMPK and PI3K signaling pathways in chicken hypothalamic neuron cells

“…Notably, the nutritional properties of adiponectin may elucidate the mechanisms behind this phenomenon, as AdipoQ is involved in the regulation of hypothalamic energy expenditure, thermogenesis ( Qi et al, 2004 ) and food intake ( Kubota et al, 2007 ), and elevated serum AdipoQ levels are associated with weight loss ( Arita et al, 1999 ). It is well-established that energy status augments or impairs reproductive capacity by regulating GnRH secretion ( Valle et al, 2019 ; Patel and Smith, 2020 ; Iwasa et al, 2022 ). Furthermore, we found that AdipoQ affects reproduction-related receptor genes (ER, PR).…”

Age-Dependent Changes in the Effects of Androgens on Female Metabolic and Body Weight Regulation Systems in Humans and Laboratory Animals

“…It is well known that reproductive function and energy balance are closely linked in most species [1][2][3]. Low energy availability, such as that associated with undernutrition and obesity, disturbs female reproductive function, and some central and peripheral factors are known to affect these changes; for example, the upregulation of hypothalamic appetiteregulatory factors, such as orexin and neuropeptide-Y (NPY), suppresses gonadotrophinreleasing hormone (GnRH) secretion.…”