Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a growth protein factor belonging to the neurotrophin peptide family that is involved in the regulation of several activities of the central nervous system. However, its effects on the activity of the somatotrophic axis in ruminants have not yet been determined. The present study aimed to verify the research hypothesis, which assumed that BDNF can modulate key hormones of the somatotrophic axis in sheep. The experiment involved sexually mature Polish Merino sheep (n = 24). The animals were divided into three groups, and the following intracerebroventricular infusions were performed: control group received Ringer-Locke solution (480 mu l/day), BDNF10 - BDNF at a dose of 10 mu g/480 mu l/day and BDNF60 - BDNF at a dose of 60 mu g/480 mu l/day. Blood samples were collected on days 0 and 3 of infusions. After the experiment, the animals were slaughtered and selected structures of the hypothalamus, pituitaries and plasma samples were stored for Real-Time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (Real-Time RT-PCR) and radioimmunoassay analysis. It was revealed that central BDNF administration induced a dose-dependent increase in growth hormone relasing hormone (GHRH) mRNA expression in the mediobasal hypothalamus of sheep. Moreover, central BDNF administration increased growth hormone (GH) mRNA expression in the pituitary and the GH pulse amplitude, which, consequently, increased the mean GH concentration in the blood plasma. These observations suggest the up-regulation of the somatotrophic axis activity in female sheep after BDNF infusion. So, it can be stated that BDNF is involved in the modulation of key hormones co-creating the somatotrophic axis in mature sheep.

The neuromodulatory effect of pyroglutamylated RFamide peptide 43 (QRFP43) on the hypothalamic appetite regulation centre in sheep has not yet been investigated. The present work focuses on the role of QRFP43 in modulating mRNA expression of pyroglutamylated RFamide peptide receptor ( QRFPR ),...