Single nucleus/cell RNA-seq of the chicken hypothalamicpituitaryovarian axis offers new insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms of ovarian development

The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian(HPO)axis represents a central neuroendocrine network essential for reproductive function.Despite its critical role,the intrinsic heterogeneity within the HPO axis across vertebrates and the complex intercellular interactions remain poorly defined.This study provides the first comprehensive,unbiased,cell type-specific molecular profiling of all three components of the HPO axis in adult Lohmann layers and Liangshan Yanying chickens.Within the hypothalamus,pituitary,and ovary,seven,12,and 13 distinct cell types were identified,respectively.Results indicated that the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide(PACAP),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),and prolactin(PRL)signaling pathways may modulate the synthesis and secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH),FSH,and luteinizing hormone(LH)within the hypothalamus and pituitary.In the ovary,interactions between granulosa cells and oocytes involved the KIT,CD99,LIFR,FN1,and ANGPTL signaling pathways,which collectively regulate follicular maturation.The SEMA4 signaling pathway emerged as a critical mediator across all three tissues of the HPO axis.Additionally,gene expression analysis revealed that relaxin 3(RLN3),gastrin-releasing peptide(GRP),and cocaine-and amphetamine regulated transcripts(CART,also known as CARTPT)may function as novel endocrine hormones,influencing the HPO axis through autocrine,paracrine,and endocrine pathways.Comparative analyses between Lohmann layers and Liangshan Yanying chickens demonstrated higher expression levels of GRP,RLN3,CARTPT,LHCGR,FSHR,and GRPR in the ovaries of Lohmann layers,potentially contributing to their superior reproductive performance.In conclusion,this study provides a detailed molecular characterization of the HPO axis,offering novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying reproductive biology.

Research on Treatment of Female ldiopathic Precocious Puberty withCombined Traditional Chinese Medicine and Megestrol Acetate

Objective: To find effective therapeutic approach for treating true idiopathic precocious puberty suitable to our national condition and different from gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogue. Methods: One hundred and six girls with idiopathic precocious puberty were divided into 3 groups. The 51 girls in the TCMWM group were treated with Chinese herbal medicine combined with megestrol acetate (MA), 35 girls in the MA group treated with megestrol acetate alone, and 20 girls were taken as control group and given no treatment at all. Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) stimulating test were performed before and after treatment, and the size of the uterus and ovary, linear growth rate, X-ray bone age measurement and final height prediction were also observed simultaneously. Results: After treated with TCM-WM for 2.7 years in average,the luteinizing hormone (LH) peak value of LHRH stimulating test was reduced from 48. 5 ± 5. 2 IU/L to 12.2 ± 1. 3 IU/L, size of uterus and ovary decreased, secondary sexual characteristics regressed, the bone age difference/chronological age difference value (ΔBA/ΔCA) reduced from 1. 35 ± 0. 09 to 0. 65 ± 0. 05 and predictive final height increased from 153. 3 ± 0. 5 cm to 158. 5 ± 0. 6 cm. Conclusion: TCM-WM therapy could not only modulate the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and the development of internal genitalia, but also could decelerate skeletal growth, delay skeletal maturation, and thereby prevent premature epiphyseal fusion and increase the final height of patients.