Prolactin blood concentration relies on the scalability of the TIDA neurons’ network efficiency in vivo
Stanislav Cherepanov,
Louise Heitzmann,
Pierre Fontanaud,
Anne Guillou,
Evelyne Galibert,
Pauline Campos,
Patrice Mollard,
Agnès O. Martin
Affiliations
Stanislav Cherepanov
Team for networks and rhythms in endocrine glands. Institute of Functional Genomics, CNRS, INSERM. Montpellier, 34094 Occitanie, France
Louise Heitzmann
Sex and speciation team, department of genome, phenome and environment. Montpellier Institute of Evolution Science, CNRS. Montpellier, 34090 Occitanie, France
Pierre Fontanaud
Team for networks and rhythms in endocrine glands. Institute of Functional Genomics, CNRS, INSERM. Montpellier, 34094 Occitanie, France
Anne Guillou
Team for networks and rhythms in endocrine glands. Institute of Functional Genomics, CNRS, INSERM. Montpellier, 34094 Occitanie, France
Evelyne Galibert
Team for networks and rhythms in endocrine glands. Institute of Functional Genomics, CNRS, INSERM. Montpellier, 34094 Occitanie, France
Pauline Campos
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
Patrice Mollard
Team for networks and rhythms in endocrine glands. Institute of Functional Genomics, CNRS, INSERM. Montpellier, 34094 Occitanie, France
Agnès O. Martin
Team for networks and rhythms in endocrine glands. Institute of Functional Genomics, CNRS, INSERM. Montpellier, 34094 Occitanie, France; Corresponding author
Summary: Our understanding and management of reproductive health and related disorders such as infertility, menstrual irregularities, and pituitary disorders depend on understanding the intricate sex-specific mechanisms governing prolactin secretion. Using ex vivo experiments in acute slices, in parallel with in vivo calcium imaging (GRIN lens technology), we found that dopamine neurons inhibiting PRL secretion (TIDA), organize as functional networks both in and ex vivo. We defined an index of efficiency of networking (Ieff) using the duration of calcium events and the ability to form plastic economic networks. It determined TIDA neurons’ ability to inhibit PRL secretion in vivo. Ieff variations in both sexes demonstrated TIDA neurons’ adaptability to physiological changes. A variation in the number of active neurons contributing to the network explains the sexual dimorphism in basal [PRL]blood secretion patterns. These sex-specific differences in neuronal activity and network organization contribute to the understanding of hormone regulation.
