Fig. 5.

Schematic representation of the hypothetical mechanisms of the regulation of pubertal onset and progression by ERα signaling in kisspeptin neurons. During the prepubertal period, ERα signaling mediates inhibition of kisspeptin expression in ARC and hence restraint of GnRH release. Pubertal onset is associated with decreased sensitivity to this suppressive mechanism in the ARC, as well as increased activation of ERα in AVPe kisspeptin neurons; the latter process stimulates kisspeptin expression in AVPe cells and increases GnRH release rates throughout the completion of puberty.