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Puberty Endocrine Events - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 13:25, 8 September 2008
, 13:25, 8 September 2008→The Influence of Blood Glucose and Fatty Acids
== The Influence of Blood Glucose and Fatty Acids ==
== The Influence of Blood Glucose and Fatty Acids ==
* There are three types of presynaptic neurons that can stimulate GnRH neurons:
** Leptin sensitive neurons
** Glucose sensitive neurons
** Fatty acid sensitive neurons
=== Leptin ===
* Leptin is a hormonal peptide produced by adipocytes (fat cells).
* The amount of leptin in the blood is directly related to the amount of fat in the body.
* Leptin receptors are found in the liver, kidney, heart, skeletal muscles, pancreas, anterior pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
* Leptin may be a signal that notifies GnRH neurons that nutritional status is adequate because a threshold 'fatness' has been achieved.
=== Blood Fatty Acids ===
* Blood fatty acids stimulate neurons that in turn stimulate GnRH neurons.
* Blood fatty acids are an indicator of nutritional status.