The neuroendocrine control of reproductive function and metabolism.
My expertise lies in the central control of endocrine events, with special attention to the neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance and reproductive function. In this general context, the outcome of my research activity has significantly contributed to the characterization of the physiological role of kisspeptins and Kiss1r in the control of key aspects of reproductive function, including puberty onset, sexual differentiation of the brain, gonadotropin secretion, positive and negative feedback effects of sex steroids, ovulation and the metabolic gating of fertility. Currently in our lab we are focused on expanding our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the neuroendocrine control of kisspeptin/GnRH release with special attention to its modulation by metabolic factors as well as the assessment (and potential treatment) of the reproductive impairments observed in most metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
References.
1. Castellano JM, Navarro VM, Fernández-Fernández R, Roa J, Vigo E, Pineda R, Dieguez C, Aguilar E, Pinilla L, Tena-Sempere M. Expression of hypothalamic KiSS-1 system and rescue of defective gonadotropic responses by kisspeptin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats.Diabetes. 2006 Sep;55(9):2602-10.
2. Navarro VM, Gottsch ML, Wu M, García-Galiano D, Hobbs SJ, Bosch MA, Pinilla L, Clifton DK, Dearth A, Ronnekleiv OK, Braun RE, Palmiter RD, Tena-Sempere M, Alreja M, Steiner RA.Regulation of NKB pathways and their roles in the control of Kiss1 neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the male mouse. Endocrinology. 2011;152(11):4265-75. PMCID: PMC3198996
3. Navarro VM, Ruiz-Pino F, Sánchez-Garrido MA, García-Galiano D, Hobbs SJ, Manfredi-Lozano M, León S, Sangiao-Alvarellos S, Castellano JM, Clifton DK, Pinilla L, Steiner RA, Tena-Sempere M. Role of neurokinin B in the control of female puberty and its modulation by metabolic status. J Neurosci. 2012 Feb 15;32(7):2388-97.
4. Navarro VM. Interactions between kisspeptins and neurokinin B. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2013;784:325-47.
5. Navarro VM, Kaiser UB.Metabolic influences on neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2013 Aug;20(4):335-41.PMCID:PMC3898855
Last Updated on September 29, 2020