The role of neonatal kisspeptin in long-term social behavior in mammals
Abstract Kisspeptins (Kiss) are key regulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, influencing testosterone surges essential for brain masculinization and behavioral development in mammals. This study explored the effects of transient neonatal Kiss blockade on long-term social behaviors in W...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Communications Biology |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08478-x |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Abstract Kisspeptins (Kiss) are key regulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, influencing testosterone surges essential for brain masculinization and behavioral development in mammals. This study explored the effects of transient neonatal Kiss blockade on long-term social behaviors in Wistar rats. Newborn rats of both sexes were injected with either a Kiss antagonist or vehicle during the postnatal testosterone surge, termed “minipuberty”. In adolescence and adulthood, social behaviors, hypothalamic Kiss receptor levels, and serum levels of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were assessed. Results showed that neonatal Kiss modulates testosterone differently in males and females, influencing social communication and long-term social skills. Increased exploratory behavior was observed, with males exhibiting heightened sexual impulsiveness without anxiety changes. Altered hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormone levels due to Kiss blockade may help explain some results. These findings highlight the critical role of neonatal Kiss in shaping lifelong social interactions and communication in a sex-dependent manner. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2399-3642 |