Endocrine Abstracts

Augurin is a putative neuropeptide product of the esophageal cancer-related gene-4. We have previously demonstrated intra-cerebroventricular (ICV) and intra-paraventricular nucleus (iPVN) administration of augurin (71–148) stimulates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in male Wistar rats. This effect was dependent on the release of CRH. Since CRH is known to inhibit feeding, we hypothesised augurin (71–148) would have similar actions. We therefore investigated th...

Nesfatin is an 82 amino acid peptide identified as a novel hypothalamic regulator of feeding. In rodents, central administration of nesfatin acutely inhibits feeding and chronic administration reduces weight gain. Subsequent research has demonstrated nesfatin is involved in the control of puberty in female rats. During puberty i.c.v. administration of nesfatin stimulates release of LH and FSH but has no effect in adult female rats.We investigated the eff...

Background and aims: Ghrelin is the only known peripheral hormone, which increases food intake. It is released from the stomach and is thought to function as a meal initiator and signal of energy deficit. We used bacterial artificial chromosome transgenesis to generate a mouse model with increased ghrelin expression and production in stomach and brain. These mice exhibited increased circulating bioactive ghrelin and as expected were hyperphagic and glucose intolerant. We hypot...

Alarin is the most recently discovered member of the galanin peptide family, and is encoded by a splice variant of galanin-like peptide (GALP) mRNA. Galanin and GALP are known to regulate energy homeostasis and reproduction. Galanin is thought to mediate its effects via the three-galanin receptors. GALP also binds to these known galanin receptors, but evidence suggests that it may also act via an as yet unknown GALP specific receptor. The role of alarin in energy homeostasis a...

Background: Kisspeptin is a peptide product of the KiSS-1 gene and a key regulator of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. Pregnancy is associated with raised plasma kisspeptin concentrations. However, there is significant variation in the plasma kisspeptin levels quoted in previous studies. We investigated the effects of pre-analytical factors including processing time and anticoagulant type on plasma kisspeptin-immunoreactivity (IR) measurement.Meth...

Objective: Kisspeptin is hormone involved in the initiation and maintenance of fertility. Placenta is the major source of kisspeptin but its role during gestation is still matter of debate. Studies investigating kisspeptin levels during gestation in patients with diabetes and hypertension are lacking. Our aim was to prospectively evaluate kisspeptin levels in pregnant women with chronic diseases such as IDDM and H.Design and methods: Kisspeptin levels we...

Kisspeptin, the endogenous ligand of the GPR54 receptor, is a key regulator of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. GPR54-null mice exhibit reproductive dysfunction and exogenous kisspeptin potently stimulates the HPG axis in rodents, primates and human males. The effects of kisspeptin administration to human females are not known.Aim: To investigate the effects of kisspeptin on luteinising hormone (LH) release during the menstrual cycle in fema...

(This poster is based on OC17)...