Short-Term Starvation Decreases POMC mRNA but Does Not Alter GnRH mRNA in the Brain of Adult Male Rats
- 1 January 1992
- journal article
- research article
- Published by S. Karger AG in Neuroendocrinology
- Vol. 56 (6) , 913-920
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000126324
Abstract
Dietary restriction reduces circulating gonadotropin and testosterone levels in male rats, an effect thought to be mediated through reduced gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion; however, the cellular mechanisms subserving this response are still unknown. We reasoned that if dietary restriction reduces GnRH secretion, this would be reflected by a decrease in GnRH synthesis and likewise cellular GnRH mRNA levels. We tested this hypothesis by comparing cellular levels of GnRH mRNA between ad libitum fed (n = 4) and starved (n = 4) adult male rats. Five days of starvation resulted in a 21% decrease in body weight and an 85% decline in serum testosterone levels (fed: 13.9 ± 2.00 vs. starved: 2.1 ± 0.70 nmol/l; pKeywords
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