Gene reveals how the brain regulates women's reproductive cycle

Researchers at the Oregon Health & Science University found that a gene enhanced at puberty – EPA1 – acts as a regulator of the neuronal signaling that controls female reproductive function. Both puberty and the female reproductive cycle are controlled by a hormone called GnRH, which is secreted by the hypothalamus. How exactly the brain signals neurons that control GnRH secretion is still a mystery. The study, which will appear in the August issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, reported that the protein product of EPA1, expressed in neurons, helps regulate female reproduction and that EPA1 activates GnRH. Researchers also found that EPA1 expression is selectively increased in the hypothalamus of monkeys, rats, and mice during puberty. The inhibition of EPA1 expression in rats delayed the onset of puberty and disrupted estrous in these animals. The findings of the study show that EPA1 is an important regulator acting within the brain, and contributes to the control of female reproductive function.

The findings of the WISDOM study, conducted by the U.K. Medical Research Council in collaboration with clinicians in Australia and New Zealand, suggest that for older women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has more risks than benefits. The WISDOM trial followed 5,692 healthy women who, on average, were age 63 and 15 years past menopause. These women were given combined hormone therapy containing estrogen and progestogen hormones, estrogen-only therapy or a placebo pill each day for an average of 12 months. The researchers witnessed an alarming increase in heart attacks, angina, and blood clots in the combined therapy group compared with the placebo group. “Importantly, the WISDOM study showed that there is no overall disease prevention benefit from HRT and some potential risk for women who start hormone replacement therapy many years after menopause,” said Madge Vickers, main author of the study. However, HRT is a good short-term treatment to relieve symptoms of early menopause in younger women.

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