AUTHOR=Guo Yang , Wu Youbing , Shi Jiahao , Zhuang Hua , Ci Lei , Huang Qin , Wan Zhipeng , Yang Hua , Zhang Mengjie , Tan Yutong , Sun Ruilin , Xu Leon , Wang Zhugang , Shen Ruling , Fei Jian 

TITLE=miR-29a/b1 Regulates the Luteinizing Hormone Secretion and Affects Mouse Ovulation

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.636220

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2021.636220

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>miR-29a/b<sub>1</sub></italic> was reportedly involved in the regulation of the reproductive function in female mice, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clear. In this study, female mice lacking <italic>miR-29a/b<sub>1</sub></italic> showed a delay in vaginal opening, irregular estrous cycles, ovulation disorder and subfertility. The level of luteinizing hormone (LH) was significantly lower in plasma but higher in pituitary of mutant mice. However, egg development was normal in mutant mice and the ovulation disorder could be rescued by the superovulation treatment. These results suggested that the LH secretion was impaired in mutant mice. Further studies showed that deficiency of <italic>miR-29a/b<sub>1</sub></italic> in mice resulted in an abnormal expression of a number of proteins involved in vesicular transport and exocytosis in the pituitary, indicating the mutant mice had insufficient LH secretion. However, the detailed mechanism needs more research.</p>