How to translate text using browser tools
17 March 2023 Acetylcholine Inhibits Spontaneous Firing Activity of Terminal Nerve GnRH Neurons in Medaka
Aiki Tanaka, Chie Umatani, Yoshitaka Oka
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Vertebrates generally possess hypophysiotropic and non-hypophysiotropic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. The terminal nerve (TN) GnRH neurons are known to belong to the non-hypophysiotropic neurons and have been suggested to modulate sexual behaviors. These neurons show spontaneous pacemaker firing activity and release neuropeptides GnRH and neuropeptide FF. Since the spontaneous firing activities of peptidergic neurons, including GnRH neurons, are believed to play important roles in the release of neuropeptides, understanding the regulatory mechanisms of these spontaneous firing activities is important. Here, we analyzed firing activities of the TN-GnRH neurons in medaka during application of acetylcholine (ACh), which is one of the essential neuromodulators in the brain. Whole cell patch clamp recording of TN-GnRH neurons demonstrated that ACh induces hyperpolarization and inhibits their pacemaker firing. Electrophysiological analysis using an antagonist for acetylcholine receptors and in situ hybridization analysis showed that firing of TN-GnRH neurons is inhibited via M2-type muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. These findings, taken together with literature from several other fish species (including teleosts and elasmobranchs), indicate that ACh may generally play an inhibitory role in modulating spontaneous activities of TN-GnRH neurons and thereby sexual behaviors in fish.

Aiki Tanaka, Chie Umatani, and Yoshitaka Oka "Acetylcholine Inhibits Spontaneous Firing Activity of Terminal Nerve GnRH Neurons in Medaka," Zoological Science 40(2), 151-159, (17 March 2023). https://doi.org/10.2108/zs220070
Received: 29 August 2022; Accepted: 4 January 2023; Published: 17 March 2023
KEYWORDS
Acetylcholine
GnRH
medaka
neuromodulation
terminal nerve
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top