FGF21 contributes to neuroendocrine control of female reproduction

Nat Med. 2013 Sep;19(9):1153-6. doi: 10.1038/nm.3250. Epub 2013 Aug 11.

Abstract

Preventing reproduction during nutritional deprivation is an adaptive process that is conserved and essential for the survival of species. In mammals, the mechanisms that inhibit fertility during starvation are complex and incompletely understood. Here we show that exposure of female mice to fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a fasting-induced hepatokine, mimics infertility secondary to starvation. Mechanistically, FGF21 acts on the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus to suppress the vasopressin-kisspeptin signaling cascade, thereby inhibiting the proestrus surge in luteinizing hormone. Mice lacking the FGF21 co-receptor, β-Klotho, in the SCN are refractory to the inhibitory effect of FGF21 on female fertility. Thus, FGF21 defines an important liver-neuroendocrine axis that modulates female reproduction in response to nutritional challenge.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Female
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Hypothalamus
  • Infertility, Female / metabolism*
  • Kisspeptins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Kisspeptins / metabolism
  • Klotho Proteins
  • Luteinizing Hormone / biosynthesis
  • Luteinizing Hormone / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / deficiency
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Proestrus / physiology
  • Reproduction*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Starvation / metabolism*
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
  • Vasopressins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vasopressins / metabolism

Substances

  • Kisspeptins
  • Klb protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • fibroblast growth factor 21
  • Vasopressins
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Klotho Proteins