144970 20260217205555.0 doi 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.07.012 sideral 139802 ART-2024-139802 eng Merchán, M. Densitometric analysis of GnRH and IBA1 immunocytochemistry in the basal ventromedial hypothalamus of the ewe 2024 Access copy available to the general public Unrestricted Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) synthesis and secretion regulates seasonal fertility. In the brain, the distribution of GnRH-positive neurons is diffuse, hindering efforts to monitor variations in its cellular and tissue levels. Here, we aim at assessing GnRH immunoreactivity in nuclei responsible for seasonal fertility regulation (SFR) within the posterior, anterior, and preoptic areas of the basal hypothalamus during estrous in ewes. We detected reaction products in the ventromedial basal hypothalamus in neurons, nerve fibers, non-neuronal immunoreactive bodies, and diffuse interstitial areas. Immunoreactivity correlated with the distribution of the main SFR nuclei in the arcuate, retrochiasmatic, periventricular, medial preoptic, supraoptic, and preoptic areas. By independent component analysis density segmentation and by interferential contrast, we identified GnRH non-neuronal positive bodies as microglial cells encapsulated within a dense halo of reaction products. These GnRH-positive microglial cells were distributed in patches and rows throughout the basal ventromedial hypothalamus, suggesting their role in paracrine or juxtacrine signaling. Moreover, as shown by ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1) immunocytochemistry, the distribution of GnRH reaction products overlapped with the microglial dense reactive zones. Therefore, our findings support the assertion that a combined densitometric analysis of GnRH and IBA1 immunocytochemistry enables activity mapping for monitoring seasonal changes following experimental interventions. info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2020-117266RB-C21 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess by https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.es 2.5 2024 VETERINARY SCIENCES 24 / 170 = 0.141 2024 Q1 T1 REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY 19 / 43 = 0.442 2024 Q2 T2 0.705 2024 Animal Science and Zoology 2024 Q1 Small Animals 2024 Q1 Food Animals 2024 Q1 Equine 2024 Q1 4.7 2024 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Plaza, I. Nieto, J. Plaza, J. Abecia, J.A. Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0003-2827-3054 Palacios, C. 2008 700 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Produc.Animal Cienc.Ali. Área Producción Animal 227 (2024), 112-119 1879-3231] THERIOGENOLOGY 0093-691X 15102073 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/144970/files/texto_completo.pdf Versión publicada 2372876 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/144970/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon icon Versión publicada oai:zaguan.unizar.es:144970 articulos driver 2026-02-17-20:42:06 ARTICLE