EVIDENCE FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR IN THE MODULATION OF KISSPEPTIN NEURONS

The insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays an important role in the onset of puberty and fertility. However, it is unknown whether IGF-1 is able to modulate kisspeptin neuron activity. Kisspeptin is the main know modulator of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), essential for puberty onset and fertility. Hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons are located at the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH), the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, and the rostral periventricular nucleus. The dynamics and modulation of kisspeptin neurons activity, through internal and external signals are important questions that have not yet been fully elucidated.