January 27, 2017.
A team of researchers from the Medical Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm) discovered that reproductive neurons were scattered all over the brain.
Observation of the migration of reproductive neurons
Until now, scientists believed that the neurons that control reproductive functions in men and women originate in the fetal nose area and gradually migrate to the area of the brain called the hypothalamus. Corn this theory was undermined by an Inserm study, which reveals that these neurons are found in several places in the brain.
But why is this discovery crucial? It is important, as it suggests that these neurons could have other roles. To reach this conclusion, researchers observed how these cells migrate, their number and distribution in the brain during embryonic development. To do this, they worked on human embryos aged 6 to 12 weeks, donated by parents in the context of abortions.
Understanding the role of these neurons
Thanks to this observation, they noticed that the neurons of thereproduction migrated to the hypothalamus, but also to the cortex, the olfactory bulb, the hippocampus and parts of the limbic system. Now, researchers will seek to understand what role these neurons play in these different areas of the brain.
” There is a hormonal impregnation during the development of the brain, prenatal and postnatal, a dysfunction of which could be at the origin of certain neurological and psychiatric pathologies. “, Argued Prof. Paolo Giacobini, who took part in the work. Certain fertility disorders could in particular come from problems with the migration of these neurons. But all this remains to be clarified.
Marine Rondot
