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Rapid recovery of gonadotroph function after down-regulation of receptors for GnRH in ewes

Summary. Several characteristics of the hypothalamo–hypophysial axis were examined after down-regulation of GnRH receptors and the desensitization which accompanies it in the ewe. Down-regulation of GnRH receptors, induced by i.v. infusion of GnRH (2·5 µg/h) for 24 h, resulted in a 50% decrease in the number of receptors for GnRH at the end of the infusion period. The number of receptors for GnRH was restored to control values by 6 h after the infusion ended and remained stable at 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after infusion. The amount of LH released in response to an i.v. injection of 100 µg GnRH was reduced by 82% at the end of the infusion period, but there was no significant reduction in the GnRH-induced release of FSH. The GnRH-induced release of LH was restored by 12 h after the infusion ended; however, the amount of FSH released in response to GnRH was not different from control values at any time. A decrease in both the amplitude and frequency of endogenous pulses of LH was observed from 0 to 12 h after the end of the infusion period. At no time did the concentration of gonadotrophins in the pituitary change. These results demonstrate that replenishment of receptors for GnRH and recovery of the ability of the gonadotroph to release LH are associated events. However, the GnRH-induced release of FSH does not appear to be closely related to the number of GnRH receptors. We suggest that continuous exposure to GnRH may inhibit the hypothalamic pulse generator as well as the pituitary response to the pulse generator.

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