| dc.description.abstract | Phoenixin-14 (PNX-14) and nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2)/nesfatin-1 are regulatory neuropeptides expressed in the
hypothalamus. These neuropeptides can be effective in hormonal regulation of the hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis and reproductive functions. In the present study, the distribution of PNX-14
and NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, and uterus tissues during the phases of the estrous
cycle in female rats was investigated. Eighteen Wistar Albino rats determined among animals showing regular
estrous cycle by vaginal smear method were divided into three groups: proestrus (Group I), estrus (Group II) and
diestrus (Group III). Serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), plasma PNX-14, and NUCB2/nesfatin-1
concentrations were the highest, moderate, and lowest in estrus, diestrus, and proestrus phases, respectively.
PNX-14 immunoreactivity in the supraoptic and arcuate nuclei of the hypothalamus and NUCB2/nesfatin-1
immunoreactivity in the paraventricular nuclei were particularly evident in the estrus phase. These neuropeptide immunoreactivities were decreased in different cells of anterior pituitary during proestrus compared with
those during estrus and diestrus. PNX-14 immunoreactivity in the ovary, especially during the estrus phase, was
diffuse and intense in the granulosa and luteal cells and oocytes, and it was few and weak in theca cells. In
addition, NUCB2/nesfatin-1 immunoreactivity was abundant and strong in granulosa and luteal cells, theca and
interstitial cells, and oocytes during estrus. In the estrus phase, PNX-14 immunoreactivity was strong in the
glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells of the endometrium, also NUCB2/nesfatin-1 immunoreactivity was
strong in the epithelial and glandular epithelial cells. As a result, when the estrous cycle was evaluated, it was
concluded that the changes in the distribution of PNX-14 and NUCB2/nesfatin-1 at all phases were related to
GnRH and that these neuropeptides showed the highest immunoreactivity especially in the HPG axis and uterus
tissues of estrus rats. | en_US |
