@article{9aee3104732d4b928f989330c1579b2a,
title = "Relationship of neuropeptide FF receptors with pubertal maturation of gilts",
abstract = "Mechanisms governing the timing of puberty in pigs are poorly understood. A genome-wide association study for age at first estrus in pigs identified candidate genes including neuropeptide FF receptor 2 (NPFFR2), which is a putative receptor for RFamide-related peptides (RFRP). RFRP has been shown to negatively regulate secretion of reproductive hormones from hypothalamic and pituitary tissue of pigs in culture. Here, the porcine NPFFR2 gene was further screened and four potentially functional variants were identified to be associated with age at first estrus in pigs (1,288 gilts). The RFRP neurons in the porcine hypothalamus were localized in the paraventricular and dorsomedial nuclei with RFRP fibers in the lateral hypothalamic area. There were marked changes in expression of NPFF receptors in the anterior pituitary gland and hypothalamus of gilts beginning with the peripubertal period. The hypothesis that NPFF receptor function is related to secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) in gilts was tested with various NPFF receptor ligands. The NPFF receptor antagonist RF9 stimulated a pulse-like release of LH in prepubertal gilts. The putative NPFF receptor agonist RFRP3modestly suppressed LH pulses in ovariectomized (OVX) prepubertal gilts. A porcine-specific RFRP2 failed to have an effect on LH secretion in OVX prepubertal gilts despite its high degree of homology to avian gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone. Results indicate that an RFRP system is present in the pig and that NPFFR2 is important for pubertal onset in gilts. It is not clear if this regulation involves major control of LH secretion or another unknown mechanism.",
keywords = "Anterior pituitary, Domestic animal reproduction, Gene expression, Genetics, Hypothalamus, Luteinizing hormone, Neuropeptide receptors, Neuropeptides, Porcine/pig, Puberty",
author = "Thorson, {Jennifer F.} and Heidorn, {Neely L.} and Vitaly Ryu and Krzysztof Czaja and Nonneman, {Danny J.} and Barb, {C. Richard} and Hausman, {Gary J.} and Rohrer, {Gary A.} and Prezotto, {Ligia D.} and McCosh, {Richard B.} and Wright, {Elane C.} and White, {Brett R.} and Freking, {Bradley A.} and Oliver, {William T.} and Hileman, {Stanley M.} and Lents, {Clay A.}",
note = "Funding Information: Supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant No. 2011-67015-30059 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture. The authors wish to acknowledge and extend appreciation to Michael Daniel and Robert Strickland of the University of Georgia (UGA), the USMARC Swine Operations crew, Bruce Larsen and Scott Whitcomb of USMARC for animal husbandry; Carl Rogers, Ramata Cisse, Chad Hewett, Sherry Hulsey, T. C. Tsai and Paul Cline of UGA, and Laura Lee-Rutherford, John Gamble, Michelle McManus, and Rebecca Kern of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and USMARC Undergraduate Interns Olivia Swanson, Elizabeth Forbes, Kaitlin Foley, Carrie Mesiar, and Dalen Zuidema for technical assistance; and to Linda Parnell and Leslie Lemke of USDA for assistance with preparation of the manuscript. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA. The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.",
year = "2017",
month = mar,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1095/biolreprod.116.144998",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "96",
pages = "617--634",
journal = "Biology of Reproduction",
issn = "0006-3363",
publisher = "Society for the Study of Reproduction",
number = "3",
}