Steroid-induced changes in the morphology of GnRH neurons in the male leopard frog, Rana pipiens: correlation with plasma gonadotropin and gonadal size

Previously, we reported that hypothalamic explants isolated from male leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) implanted with 17β-estradiol (E2), but not 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), released significantly higher levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in response to a veratridine challenge. In this study, we measured changes in GnRH soma size, circulating luteinizing hormone (LH), and gonadosomatic index (GSI) in response to these two steroid hormones to further assess the impact of these hormones on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Sexually mature male R. pipiens were implanted with silastic capsules containing cholesterol (Ch; control), E2, or DHT for 20 days. GnRH immunocytochemistry (ICC) revealed that both E2 and DHT significantly enlarged GnRH soma size without affecting the total number of GnRH neurons in the forebrain. The effects of E2 and DHT were specific, since neither hormone altered the soma size of tyrosine hydroxylase neurons in the dorsomedial posterior tuberculum. Circulating LH levels were significantly reduced in animals treated with both steroid hormones, with E2 exerting the most potent inhibitory effect. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the GSI and GnRH soma size in Ch controls, suggesting animals with larger GnRH neurons tended to have smaller gonads. Overall, our results showed that both steroid hormones induced the accumulation of GnRH and ultimately the swelling of the GnRH soma. Further, larger GnRH neurons were associated with smaller gonads and lower circulating levels of LH, suggesting a link between enlarged GnRH neurons and an overall decrease in the reproductive activity of R. pipiens.