Short-term regular moderate exercise improved male hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function via the reduction of hypothalamic neurokinin B expression in adult rats

Introduction: In the arcuate nucleus, kisspeptin, neurokinin-B and pro-dynorphin (KNDy) neurons control the function of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Early investigations indicated that exercise with various intensities affects luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) in different ways. Meanwhile the molecular mechanisms underlying its function not yet been fully understood. Accordingly, the present study evaluated the role of alterations in the levels of KNDy mRNA upstream of GnRH neurons in conveying the effects of various short-term exercise intensities on the male hypothermic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Methods: Twenty-one adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, one-month regular moderate exercise (ME) and one-month regular intensive exercise (IE). In ME (22m/min) and IE (35m/min) groups, the rats were treated 5 days a week for 60min each day. Finally, we assessed serum levels of LH and T using the ELIZA technique and KNDy and Gnrh mRNA expression by the real-time PCR method. Results: The results revealed that in ME group the expression of Nkb was reduced and the expression of Gnrh mRNA and the LH and T serum levels were increased. However, intensive exercise did not change the serum levels of LH and T or the relative expression of kiss1, Nkb, Pdyn and Gnrh genes. Conclusion: The results suggested that monthly moderate exercise improved male reproductive axis function, while intensive exercise did not have an adverse effect on the reproductive axis. These various effects on the male HPG axis may be propagated by the change in hypothalamic Nkb gene expression.