Although methionine-enkephalin (M-ENK) is implicated in the regulation of reproductive functions in vertebrates, its function in reptiles is little understood. This study aims to elucidate the role of M-ENK on seasonal and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-induced ovarian recrudescence in the gecko Hemidactylus frenatus. In the first experiment, administration of 5 µg M-ENK did not affect germinal bed activity or follicular developmental stages I, II, and III (previtellogenic) and IV (vitellogenic), but there were no stage V (vitellogenic) follicles in the ovary. However, there was a significant decrease in the mean numbers of oogonia and primary oocytes in the germinal bed associated with the complete absence of stage IV and V follicles in 25 µg M-ENK-treated lizards in contrast to experimental controls. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in gonadotropin-releasing hormone - immunoreactive (GnRH-ir) content in the median eminence (ME) and pars distalis (PD) of the pituitary gland and sparse labelling of hypothalamic GnRH-ir neurons in 25 µg M-ENK-treated lizards. In the second experiment, treatment with FSH during the regression phase of the ovarian cycle resulted in the appearance of stage IV and V follicles, in contrast to their absence in the initial controls and treatment controls. However, treatment with 25 µg M-ENK + FSH did not result in the appearance of these follicles, indicating the inhibitory effect of M-ENK on FSH-induced ovarian recrudescence. These findings suggest that M-ENK inhibits the germinal bed and vitellogenic follicular growth in a dose-dependent manner, possibly mediated through the suppression of GnRH release in the ME and PD. In addition, M-ENK may also act at the level of the ovary in the gecko.
Keywords: FSH; Gecko; Gonadotropin-releasing hormone; Methionine-enkephalin; Opioid peptides; Ovary.
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