New insights into GnRH neuron development, programming and regulation in health and disease

This special issue of Neuroendocrinology brings together a series of new aspects in GnRH research, encompassing fundamental studies on the regulation of the GnRH neuron at a molecular and electrophysiological level, studies on pulsatile gene expression in GnRH-promoter-luciferase transgenic mice, and the impact of novel guidance proteins (semaphorins) on GnRH neuron migration. Further topics include animal models of metabolic, immunological, bacterial and steroidogenic reproductive neuroendocrine programming, and clinical studies on the use of kisspeptin ligands to stimulate or inhibit the reproductive system. The discoveries and proposals made in this issue promise to revolutionize the current understanding of the mechanism of GnRH neuron regulation of reproduction, and will be essential reading for anyone involved in the field of GnRH research.