ABSTRACT

I. Introduction................................................................................. 177 II. Electrophysiological Characteristics of Native GnRH

Neurons ....................................................................................... 178 A. Initial Studies......................................................................... 178 B. Basic Membrane Properties of GnRH Neurons

in the Mouse .......................................................................... 179 C. Ligand-Gated Receptors Expressed by GnRH

Neurons in the Postnatal Mouse.......................................... 181 III. Direct Gonadal Steroid Effects upon Native GnRH

Neurons?...................................................................................... 183 IV. Effects of Gonadal Steroids upon GnRH Neuron

Membrane Properties ................................................................. 184 V. Conclusions ................................................................................. 186

References ............................................................................................. 187

The biosynthetic and secretory activity of the mammalian gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) neurons is clearly regulated by the fluctuating levels of circulating estrogen and progesterone in the female.