SAT593 Mechanism Of Kisspeptin Neuron Synchronization In Acute Brain Slices From Female Mice

Disclosure: P.G. Morris: None. A.E. Herbison: None. Arcuate kisspeptin (ARN(KISS)) neurons, which co-express glutamate, neurokinin B and dynorphin, intermittently synchronize their activity to drive pulsatile hormone secretion. However, the mechanisms underlying such network behaviour remains unclear in females. Using an acute Kiss1-Cre GCaMP6 brain slice preparation which maintains spontaneous synchronized ARN(KISS) neuron burst firing, we were able to both characterise this behaviour and reveal the neurotransmitter receptors contributing to it. Results in diestrous female mice revealed that the order individual neurons took part in synchronizations was only mildly consistent, with a mean Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.43. Spontaneous ARN(KISS) neuron synchronizations were found to be highly dependent on glutamate transmission via AMPA receptors, as well as Neurokinin B transmission. Inhibition of NMDA receptors did not alter rates of synchronization, and similarly inhibition of kappa opioid receptors had no effect on rate of synchronization or duration of spontaneous events. Combined with previously published data in male mice, these data underscore the importance of AMPA receptors in synchronizing the ARN(KISS) neuron network, but additionally suggest a sex difference in the relative contribution of neurokinin B to synchronizations. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023