FGF21 contributes to neuroendocrine control of female reproduction

BM Owen, AL Bookout, X Ding, VY Lin, SD Atkin… - Nature medicine, 2013 - nature.com
BM Owen, AL Bookout, X Ding, VY Lin, SD Atkin, L Gautron, SA Kliewer, DJ Mangelsdorf
Nature medicine, 2013nature.com
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 …
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.
nature.com