Skip to main content
. 2022 Jan 13;12:781543. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.781543

Table 1.

List of GnIH-Rs orthologues across vertebrate species with localization and reported function.

MAMMALS
Species Sex1 Receptor Ligand Reported Function References
Name Localization2 Reproductive Metabolic Other
Horse (Equus caballus) F NPFFR-1 Hyp, Pit RFRP-3 No effect on GnRH or LH release (22)
Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) M GPR147 Hyp, BNST, HbN, Hpc RFRP-3 Stimulates the HPG axis Potential role as an intermediate between metabolic cues toward central reproductive control (23)
F GPR147 Hyp, BNST, HbN, Hpc RFRP-3 Inhibits LH release
GPR147 GnRH neurons, Kiss neurons RFRP-3 Inhibits gonadotropin release in presence of GnRH stimulation (24)
F GPR147 Pit RFRP-3 Mediates LH surge at the level of the Pit (25)
M GPR147 B, T RFRP Regulates spermatogenesis (26)
Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) M GPR147 GnRH neurons RFRP-1 Inhibits LH release during LD; promotes LH release during SD; no effect on FSH (27)
GPR147 GnRH neurons RFRP-3
Sheep (Ovis aries) NPFFR-1 SCN, PeVN, SON, PT RFRP Potential role in photoperiodic time measurement (28)
Human (Homo sapiens) GPR147 Adipose NPFF Slow antilipolytic effect (29)
GPR147 Adipose NPSF Rapid antilipolytic effect
GPR147 Ov RFRP-3 Downregulates steroidogenesis (30)
GPR147 Hyp, Pit RFRP-3 Downregulates GnRH expression; directly inhibits gonadotropin release (4)
NPFFR-1 Hyp, Thal, Amyg, Cb, Hpc, SC NPFF Potentially anorexigenic Pro- and anti-opioid effects (13)
Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) GPR147 Hyp RFRP Inhibits reproduction during the prepubertal period (31)
Pig (Sus scrofa) F GPR147 Hyp, Pit, OB, MO, Cb, Cbr, Hpc, Ov, MO, SC, spleen, uterus, eye, adrenal, kidney, intestine GnIH Regulates the estrus cycle in sexually mature animals at all levels of the HPG axis (32)
F GPR147 Hyp, Pit, Ov RFRP-3 Inhibits GnRH; downregulates gonadotropin synthesis; downregulates estradiol secretion (33)
NPFFR-1 Hyp, Pit RFRP-3 Suppresses LH pulses; regulates sexual maturation (34)
Cat (Felis catus) F NPFFR-1 Ov RFRP-3 Increases progesterone production from preantral follicles (35)
Rat (Rattus norvegicus) GPR147 Hyp RFRP Controls the prepubertal state and reproductive development (36)
NPFFR-1 PVN, mPOA, AHN, DMH, PMv, LS, Thal, Amyg NPVF Anti-opioid effects (16)
NPFFR-1 NPAF
NPFFR-1 Hyp, Pit, T, Ov, Thal, Amyg, OB, adrenal NPFF Potentially anorexigenic Indirect role in the dopaminergic system; pro- and anti-opioid effects (13)
OT7T022 Hyp, Pit, T, Ov, Cbr, BG, Hpc, Thal, Mes, Cb, MO, SC, optic nerve, eye, adrenal, placenta RFRP-1 Increases prolactin secretion (15)
OT7T022 RFRP-3
M NPFF1R Amyg RFRP-1 Anorexigenic (37)
GPR147 RP3V, Arc, MS, POA, Pit, Hpc RFRP-3 Regulates the central control of reproduction in adults (38)
Mouse (Mus musculus) M NPFF1R Hyp RFRP-3 Orexigenic action likely via the modulation of the effects of leptin and ghrelin on feeding behavior; involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis (39)
F NPFF1R Hyp RFRP-3 No effect on feeding behavior; role in the homeostatic control of body weight and body composition in basal conditions; regulates energy expenditure
GPR147 DS RFRP-3 Inhibits GnRH neurons (40)
GPR147 GnRH neurons, Kiss neurons, PVN, LS RFRP-3 Inhibits Kiss and GnRH neurons (24)
GPR147 GnRH neurons, gonadotropes GnIH (41)
GPR147 Gonadotropes RFRP-1/3 Downregulates gene expression of LH-β, FSH-β, and common α- subunits in presence of GnRH stimulation; inhibits LH release (42)
AVES
Species Sex Receptor Ligand Reported Function References
Name Localization Reproductive Metabolic Other
Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) M GnIH-R Pit, Cbr, Mes, SC GnIH Inhibits gonadotropin release; suppresses testosterone production and testicular development; negatively regulates the development of secondary sex characteristics (5, 8)
GnIH-R Dien, Pit, Ov, T, epididymis, vas deferens, germ cells GnIH Downregulates reproduction at all levels of the HPG axis; regulates steroid synthesis and release, sperm maturation, and germ cell differentiation (10)
Chicken (Gallus gallus) RFRPR Dien, Pit, Tel, OT, OB GnIH Regulates gonadotropin release (7)
NPFFR Dien, Pit, Ov, T, Tel, OT, Cb, OB, MO, SC, eye, heart, liver, adrenal, spleen GnIH
NPFFR-1 Hyp GnIH (43)
F GnIH-R Dien, Pit GnIH Control of the prepubertal state; regulates the termination of reproduction (44)
GnIH-R Hyp GnIH Orexigenic effects (45)
GnIH-R T, Ov, prehierachiral follicles GnIH Possibly downregulates gonadal steroids; functions in follicular selection and maturation (46)
Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) F GnIH-R Pit GnIH Reduces egg production efficiency (47)
European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) GnIH-R Mes, PO region, GnRH-I neurons, GnRH-II neurons GnIH Inhibits the GnRH system (18)
GnIH-R Dien, Pit, T, Ov, Mes, oviduct GnIH Downregulates reproduction at all levels of the HPG axis (10)
White crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) F GnIH-R Dien, GnRH-II neurons, ME, BNST, OMC GnIH Suppresses LH release; inhibits copulation solicitation behavior (9)
GnIH-R Pit, Ov, T GnIH Downregulates reproduction at the level of the gonad (10)
House sparrow (Passer domesticus) GnIH-R T GnIH Inhibits gonadotropin-induced testosterone secretion (11)
TELEOSTS
Species Sex Receptor Ligand Reported Function References
Name Localization Reproductive Metabolic Other
Goldfish (Carassius auratus) GnIH-R1* Hyp, PI of Pit, Thal, PeVN, NAT, NDTL, NDLI GnIH *Directly downregulates GnRH expression; Suppresses gonadotropin release (48)
GnIH-R2* Hyp, PI of Pit, Thal, POA GnIH
GnIH-R3* Hyp, Thal, POA GnIH
GnIH-R1 Ov, T GnIH No effect in females; increases testosterone, upregulates StAR and 3βHSD, and downregulates CYP19 in males (49)
GnIH-R2 Ov, T GnIH
GnIH-R Pit GnIH Regulates gonadotropin release and mRNA expression of LH-β and FSH-β subunits; may be stimulatory or inhibitory to control seasonal reproduction (50)
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) GnIH-R1* B, T, spleen, eye, muscle, kidney GnIH *Downregulates GnIH; potentially downregulates steroidogenesis and gametogenesis; Role in embryonic and early larval development; Mediates the hypophysiotropic action of GnIH (51)
GnIH-R2* B, T, eye, kidney GnIH
GnIH-R3* B, Pit, T, Ov, spleen, eye, gill, muscle GnIH
LPXRF-R2 Pit LPXRFa-1/2/3 Downregulates LH β-subunit and CGA expression; no effect on FSH β-subunit expression (52)
LPXRF-R3 Pit LPXRFa-1/2/3
NPFFR1-1 Dien, Pit, Tel, Mes, Rhom, OB LPXRFa Upregulates GnRH-3 expression in the Hyp and the FSH-β subunit in the Pit (53)
NPFFR1-2 Dien, Pit, Tel, Mes, Rhom LPXRFa
NPFFR1-3 Dien, Pit, Tel, Mes, Rhom LPXRFa
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) GnIH-R1* Hyp, T, Ov GnIH-III *Downregulates GnRH-3; Inhibits LH-β and FSH-β subunit expression (54)
GnIH-R2* Hyp, Pit, T, Ov GnIH-III
GnIH-R3* Hyp, Pit, T, Ov GnIH-III
Catla (Catla catla) GnIH-R1 B, G, kidney, liver, heart, gill, eye, stomach, intestine GnIH Primary site for GnIH action in the brain (55)
GnIH-R2 B, G, kidney, muscle, heart, eye, stomach GnIH
GnIH-R3 G, kidney, liver, heart, gill, eye, intestine GnIH
Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) F LPXRF-R Dien, Pit, T, Ov, Tel, Mes, liver, intestine, adipose, muscle, gill, heart, stomach LPXRFa Upregulates LH and FSH (56)
Orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) H GnIH-R Hyp, Pit, G, OB, Tel, OT, Cb, MO, gill, kidney, stomach GnIH-I/II/III Decreases GnRH in brain and suppresses LH release (19)
Clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus) H GnIH-R B, Pit, G, eye GnIH Downregulates gonadotropins; potential role in sex change (57)
GnIH-R Dien GnIH Downregulates GnRH expression and suppresses LH and FSH synthesis and release (58)
Grass puffer (Takifugu niphobles) LPXRFa-R Dien, Pit, Tel, OT, eye LPXRFa Upregulates LH-β and FSH-β subunit expression (59)
Tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) LPXRFa-R B, Pit, Ov, gill, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, stomach, intestine, muscle LPXRAa-1 Stimulatory action (60)
LPXRFa-R B, Pit, Ov, gill, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, stomach, intestine, muscle LPXRAa-2 Inhibitory action

1Sex abbreviations: M, Male; F, Female; H, Hermaphrodite.

2Localization abbreviations: Amyg, Amygdala; AHN, Anterior hypothalamic nucleus; Arc, Arcuate nucleus; BG, Basal ganglia; BNST, Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; B, Brain; Cb, Cerebellum; Cbr, Cerebrum; Dien, Diencephalon; DS, Dorsal septal nucleus; DMH, Dorsomedial hypothalamus; G, Gonad; HbN, Habenular nuclei; Hpc, Hippocampus; Hyp, Hypothalamus; LS, Lateral septum; mPOA, Medial preoptic nucleus; MS, Medial septum; ME, Median eminence; MO, Medulla oblongata; Mes, Mesencephalon; NAT, Nucleus anterior tuberis; NDLI, Nucleus diffuses lobi inferioris; NDLT, Nucleus diffuses tori lateralis; BNST, Nucleus stria terminalis; OMC, Oculomotor complex; OB, Olfactory bulb; OT, Optic tectum; OV, Ovary; PVN, Paraventricular nucleus; PI, Pars intermedia; PT, Pars tuberalis; PeVN, Periventricular nucleus; Pit, Pituitary; POA, Preoptic area; Rhom, Rhombencephalon; RP3V, Rostral periventricular area of the third ventricle; SC, Spinal cord; SCN, Suprachiasmatic nucleus; SON, Supraoptic nucleus; Tel, Telencephalon; T, Testis; Thal, Thalamus; VMH, Ventromedial hypothalamus.