Maturation of kisspeptinergic neurons coincides with puberty onset in male rats

Kisspeptins, derived from the Kiss1 gene play a central role in activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis via stimulation of GnRH neurons. Both Kiss1 and Kiss1R (receptor) mRNA levels are found to be low in pre-pubertal rats, but whether an increase in kisspeptin and/or its receptor is the primary component in the initiation of puberty and where in the hypothalamus regulation of the kisspeptin/Kiss1R system occurs is unresolved....