O análogo de GnRH, Lecirelina (Gestran Plus®; ARSA S.R.L., Buenos Aires, Argentina), foi testado para habilidade de induzir e sincronizar a ovulação de porcas. As fêmeas foram uniformemente distribuídas após o desmame, em dois grupos de 56 fêmeas de acordo com a ordem de parto (OP) (2-6), intervalo desmame-estro (IDE) e escore corporal visual (ECV). O análogo de GnRH (25μg, 1mL) e a solução fisiológica (grupo controle) foram administrados no início do estro (quando detectado o primeiro reflexo de tolerância ao macho). A detecção do estro, assim como a ultrasonografia transcutânea foram realizados em intervalos de 8 horas. A duração do estro, no grupo controle e tratado, foram de 66,3 ± 1,3 h e de 61,3 ± 1,3 h (P=0,007), respectivamente. O intervalo entre o início do estro e a ovulação (IEO) foi de 44,3 ± 1,2 h e 39,9 ± 1,2 h (P=0,012) para o grupo controle e tratado, respectivamente. Até 40 h após o tratamento, 70,9% das fêmeas que receberam a Lecirelina ovularam enquanto somente 48,2% das fêmeas controle ovularam no mesmo período (P=0,01). Uma maior proporção das fêmeas hormonalmente tratadas tendeu (P=0,09) a ovular até 48 h após o tratamento (92,7%) comparado com as fêmeas do grupo controle (82,4%). O desempenho reprodutivo (taxa de parto, número de leitões nascidos totais, leitões nascidos vivos, natimortos e fetos mumificados) não foi afetado (P>0,05) pela indução da ovulação com Lecirelina. / The GnRH analog, Lecirelin (Gestran Plus®; ARSA S.R.L., Buenos Aires, Argentina), was tested for the ability to induce and synchronize ovulation in sows. Sows were uniformly allocated, after weaning, in two groups (n=56, each) according to parity (2-6), wean to estrus interval (WEI) and body condition score (BCS). GnRH analog (25μg, 1mL) and saline solution (control group) were injected at estrus onset (at first standing reflex). Estrus detection and transcutaneous real-time ultrasonography were performed each 8 h. Duration of estrus for control and treated groups was of 66.3 ± 1.3 h and 61.3 ± 1.3 h (P=0,007), respectively. Interval from estrus onset to ovulation (IEO) was of 44.3 ± 1.2 h and 39.9 ± 1.2 h (P=0,012) for the control and treated groups, respectively. Up to 40 h after treatment administration, 70.9% of Lecirelin sows had ovulated whereas 48.2% of control sows ovulated in the same period (P= 0.01). A large proportion of Lecirelin sows tended (P= 0.09) to ovulate up to 48 h after treatment (92.7%) compared to control sows (82.4%). Reproductive performance (farrowing rate, number of total piglets born, piglets born alive, stillborn piglets and mummified fetuses) was not affected (P>0.05) by induction of the ovulation with Lecirelin.

O análogo de GnRH, Lecirelina (Gestran Plus®; ARSA S.R.L., Buenos Aires, Argentina), foi testado para habilidade de induzir e sincronizar a ovulação de porcas. As fêmeas foram uniformemente distribuídas após o desmame, em dois grupos de 56 fêmeas de acordo com a ordem de parto (OP) (2-6), intervalo desmame-estro (IDE) e escore corporal visual (ECV). O análogo de GnRH (25μg, 1mL) e a solução fisiológica (grupo controle) foram administrados no início do estro (quando detectado o primeiro reflexo de tolerância ao macho). A detecção do estro, assim como a ultrasonografia transcutânea foram realizados em intervalos de 8 horas. A duração do estro, no grupo controle e tratado, foram de 66,3 ± 1,3 h e de 61,3 ± 1,3 h (P=0,007), respectivamente. O intervalo entre o início do estro e a ovulação (IEO) foi de 44,3 ± 1,2 h e 39,9 ± 1,2 h (P=0,012) para o grupo controle e tratado, respectivamente. Até 40 h após o tratamento, 70,9% das fêmeas que receberam a Lecirelina ovularam enquanto somente 48,2% das fêmeas controle ovularam no mesmo período (P=0,01). Uma maior proporção das fêmeas hormonalmente tratadas tendeu (P=0,09) a ovular até 48 h após o tratamento (92,7%) comparado com as fêmeas do grupo controle (82,4%). O desempenho reprodutivo (taxa de parto, número de leitões nascidos totais, leitões nascidos vivos, natimortos e fetos mumificados) não foi afetado (P>0,05) pela indução da ovulação com Lecirelina. / The GnRH analog, Lecirelin (Gestran Plus®; ARSA S.R.L., Buenos Aires, Argentina), was tested for the ability to induce and synchronize ovulation in sows. Sows were uniformly allocated, after weaning, in two groups (n=56, each) according to parity (2-6), wean to estrus interval (WEI) and body condition score (BCS). GnRH analog (25μg, 1mL) and saline solution (control group) were injected at estrus onset (at first standing reflex). Estrus detection and transcutaneous real-time ultrasonography were performed each 8 h. Duration of estrus for control and treated groups was of 66.3 ± 1.3 h and 61.3 ± 1.3 h (P=0,007), respectively. Interval from estrus onset to ovulation (IEO) was of 44.3 ± 1.2 h and 39.9 ± 1.2 h (P=0,012) for the control and treated groups, respectively. Up to 40 h after treatment administration, 70.9% of Lecirelin sows had ovulated whereas 48.2% of control sows ovulated in the same period (P= 0.01). A large proportion of Lecirelin sows tended (P= 0.09) to ovulate up to 48 h after treatment (92.7%) compared to control sows (82.4%). Reproductive performance (farrowing rate, number of total piglets born, piglets born alive, stillborn piglets and mummified fetuses) was not affected (P>0.05) by induction of the ovulation with Lecirelin.

O análogo de GnRH, Lecirelina (Gestran Plus®; ARSA S.R.L., Buenos Aires, Argentina), foi testado para habilidade de induzir e sincronizar a ovulação de porcas. As fêmeas foram uniformemente distribuídas após o desmame, em dois grupos de 56 fêmeas de acordo com a ordem de parto (OP) (2-6), intervalo desmame-estro (IDE) e escore corporal visual (ECV). O análogo de GnRH (25μg, 1mL) e a solução fisiológica (grupo controle) foram administrados no início do estro (quando detectado o primeiro reflexo de tolerância ao macho). A detecção do estro, assim como a ultrasonografia transcutânea foram realizados em intervalos de 8 horas. A duração do estro, no grupo controle e tratado, foram de 66,3 ± 1,3 h e de 61,3 ± 1,3 h (P=0,007), respectivamente. O intervalo entre o início do estro e a ovulação (IEO) foi de 44,3 ± 1,2 h e 39,9 ± 1,2 h (P=0,012) para o grupo controle e tratado, respectivamente. Até 40 h após o tratamento, 70,9% das fêmeas que receberam a Lecirelina ovularam enquanto somente 48,2% das fêmeas controle ovularam no mesmo período (P=0,01). Uma maior proporção das fêmeas hormonalmente tratadas tendeu (P=0,09) a ovular até 48 h após o tratamento (92,7%) comparado com as fêmeas do grupo controle (82,4%). O desempenho reprodutivo (taxa de parto, número de leitões nascidos totais, leitões nascidos vivos, natimortos e fetos mumificados) não foi afetado (P>0,05) pela indução da ovulação com Lecirelina. / The GnRH analog, Lecirelin (Gestran Plus®; ARSA S.R.L., Buenos Aires, Argentina), was tested for the ability to induce and synchronize ovulation in sows. Sows were uniformly allocated, after weaning, in two groups (n=56, each) according to parity (2-6), wean to estrus interval (WEI) and body condition score (BCS). GnRH analog (25μg, 1mL) and saline solution (control group) were injected at estrus onset (at first standing reflex). Estrus detection and transcutaneous real-time ultrasonography were performed each 8 h. Duration of estrus for control and treated groups was of 66.3 ± 1.3 h and 61.3 ± 1.3 h (P=0,007), respectively. Interval from estrus onset to ovulation (IEO) was of 44.3 ± 1.2 h and 39.9 ± 1.2 h (P=0,012) for the control and treated groups, respectively. Up to 40 h after treatment administration, 70.9% of Lecirelin sows had ovulated whereas 48.2% of control sows ovulated in the same period (P= 0.01). A large proportion of Lecirelin sows tended (P= 0.09) to ovulate up to 48 h after treatment (92.7%) compared to control sows (82.4%). Reproductive performance (farrowing rate, number of total piglets born, piglets born alive, stillborn piglets and mummified fetuses) was not affected (P>0.05) by induction of the ovulation with Lecirelin.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Puberdade precoce central em meninas à definida como desenvolvimento puberal causado pela ativaÃÃo do eixo hipotÃlamo-hipÃfise-gonadal antes de 8 anos de idade. Nestas condiÃÃes, a estimulaÃÃo das gonadotrofinas produz aumento dos ovÃrios e a secreÃÃo de estrogÃnio resulta em aumento uterino. O exame de ultra-som pÃlvico prova ser um mÃtodo preciso e nÃo invasivo na investigaÃÃo da genitÃlia interna de pacientes do sexo feminino. Ultra-sonografia pÃlvica foi sistematicamente realizada em 18 meninas com diagnÃstico de puberdade precoce central idiopÃtica para avaliar o impacto do tratamento com anÃlogo de GnRH na genitÃlia interna feminina. Antes e, em mÃdia, 3 meses apÃs o inÃcio do tratamento, foram avaliados os volumes uterino e ovarianos, o diÃmetro longitudinal do Ãtero, eco endometrial e grau de maturidade de Tanner. Os nossos dados demonstraram que o Ãtero e os ovÃrios estÃo aumentados na Ãpoca do diagnÃstico. ApÃs, aproximadamente 3 meses de terapia, ambos os volumes, uterino e ovarianos, reduziram seus valores, o comprimento do Ãtero diminuiu e houve uma regressÃo quanto ao estÃgio puberal de Tunner. Quanto ao eco endometrial nÃo houve mudanÃa significativa. Os nossos resultados confirmam a ecografia pÃlvica como uma ferramenta confiÃvel para investigaÃÃo da genitÃlia interna em meninas com puberdade precoce e como valioso mÃtodo para avaliaÃÃo da eficÃcia do tratamento com anÃlogo de GnRH. / Central precociuos puberty in girls is defined as pubertal development caused by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis before 8 years old. In this condition, gonadotropin stimulation produces ovarian enlargement and estrogen secretion results in uterine enlargement. Pelvic ultrasound has proven to be an accurate and noninvasive technique for investigation of internal genitalia in female patients. Pelvic ultrasonography was systematically perfomed on 18 girls with idiopathic central precociuos puberty to investigate the impact of treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues on female internal genitalia. Before and after three months of treatment were evaluated ovarian and uterine volumes, uterine lenght, endometrial stripe and Tanner staging. Our data demonstrated that ovaries and uterus are enlarged at the time of diagnosis. Later, average 3 months of treatment, both ovarian and uterine volumes decreased, the uterine lenght decreased and the Tanner staging regressed. The endometrial echogenicity did not showed changes. Ours results confirmed pelvic ultrasonography as a reliable tool for investigation of internal genitalia in girls with precociuos puberty and as a valid method for evaluation of the efficacy of treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues.

INTRODUÇÃO: Aventa-se a hipótese de quepacientes com endometriose poderiam apresentar risco elevado para doenças cardiovasculares. Existe, porém, controvérsia quanto ao perfil lipídico observado nessas pacientes. OBJETIVOS: avaliar os marcadores de risco cardiovascular associados à endometriose, comparando-se o efeito sobre eles de dois diferentes tratamentos para esta doença: Sistema Intra-uterino liberador de levonorgestrel (SIU-LNG) e o análogo do GnRH na forma de depósito (aGnRH). Marcadores inflamatórios, parâmetros clínicos e avaliação lipídica foram utilizados como marcadores de risco cardiovascular. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Quarenta pacientes entre 18 e 40 anos, com diagnóstico laparoscópico de endometriose, foram randomizadas para receber tratamento com SIU-LNG (n=22) e com o aGnRH (n=18), durante 6 meses. Foram avaliados o índice de massa corporal, a freqüência cardíaca, as pressões arteriais sistólica e diastólica, além dos seguintes parâmetros laboratoriais: lipidograma (colesterol total (CT), HDL-colesterol (HDL-C), LDL-colesterol (LDL-C), triglicérides (TGL)), interleucina-6 (IL-6), proteína C reativa (PCR), homocisteína, molécula de adesão decélula vascular (VCAM), fator de necrose tumoral ?(TNF-?) e contagem de leucócitos (LCT), sendo realizados no início e após seis meses de tratamento. RESULTADOS: no grupo do SIU-LNG, houve redução dos níveis do VCAM (92,8 ± 4,2ng/mL para 91,2 ± 2,7ng/mL, p=0,04), PCR (0,38 ± 0,30mg/dL para 0,28 ± 0,21mg/dL, p=0,03), CT (247,0 ± 85,0 mg/dL para 180,0 ± 31,0 mg/dL, p=0,0002), TGL (118,0 ± 76,0 mg/dL para 86,5 ± 41,5 mg/dL,p=0,003), LDL-C (160,5 + 66,0mg/dL para 114,5 + 25,5mg/dL, p=0,0005) e HDL-C (63,0 + 20,5mg/dL para 48,5 + 10,5mg/Dl, p=0,002). No grupo do aGnRH, houve aumento da homocisteína (11,5 + 2,9 µmol/L para 13,0 + 2,7µmol/L, p=0,04) e diminuição dos níveis de IL-6 (4,3 + 3,9pg/mL para 2,3 + 0,8pg/mL, p=0,005), VCAM (94,0 + 3,8ng/mL para 92,0 + 1,6ng/mL, p=0,03) e LCT (7330 + 2554 para 6350 + 1778, p=0,01). Esse estudo mostra que alguns marcadores de risco cardiovascular são influenciados por ambos aGnRH e SIU-LNG, mas esse último reduz mais os níveis lipídicos e pode ter efeitos mais favoráveis em longo prazo. / The aim of this prospective and controlled study was to evaluate the cardiovascular risk markers associated with endometriosis and the influence of the levonorgestrel intra-uterine system (LNG-IUS) compared with the GnRH analogue (GnRHa) leuprolide acetate on these risks after six monthsof treatment. Methods: This was a randomized, prospective, open clinical study, with44 patients with laparoscopically and histologically confirmed endometriosis. Patients were randomized into two groups: LNG-IUS group, 22 patients submittedto LNG-IUS insertion, and GnRHa group, 22 patients who received a monthly GnRHa injection for six months. Body mass index, systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure, heart rate and laboratory cardiovascular risk markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine (HMC), lipid profile, total leucocytes, and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) were measured before and six months after treatment. Results: in the LNG-IUS group, there was reduction of the levels of VCAM(92.8 +4.2 to 91.2+2.7 ng/mL, p = 0.04), CRP (0.38+0.30 to 0.28+0.21 mg/dL, p = 0.03), total cholesterol (247.0+85.0 to 180.0+31.0 mg/dL, p = 0.0002), triglycerides (118.0+ 76.0 to 86.5+41.5 mg/dL, p = 0.003), LDL (160.5+66.0 to 114.5+25.5 mg/dL, p = 0.0005) and HDL (63.0+20.5 to 48.5+10.5 mg/dL, p = 0.002). The GnRHa group showed an increase of HMC levels (11.5+2.9 to 13.0+2.7 µmol/L, p = 0.04) and a reduction of IL-6 levels (4.3+3.9 to 2.3+0.8 pg/mL, p = 0.005), VCAM (94.0+3.8 to 92.0+1.6 ng/mL, p = 0.03) and total leucocytes (7330+2554 to 6350+1778, p = 0.01). Conclusions: This study shows that some cardiovascular risk markers are influenced by both GnRHa and LNG-IUS,but the latter had a greater positive impact on the lipid profile, which could lead to a favorable effect during long-term treatment.

L’acquisition de la fertilité chez les mammifères est le résultat d’un long processus de développement et de maturation de l’axe gonadotrope. Cette fonction cruciale à la survie des espèces est orchestrée par une poignée de cellules localisées au niveau de l’aire préoptique hypothalamique chez le rongeur, sécrétant la gonadotropin-releasing hormon (GnRH). La GnRH stimule la sécrétion de LH et de FSH par l’adénohypophyse, qui stimulent à leur tour les gonades. Les cellules à GnRH naissent dans l’épithélium voméronasal pendant le développement embryonnaire et migrent le long des axones voméronasaux pour atteindre l’hypothalamus. A la naissance le système est entièrement en place, toutefois il subira une phase de maturation avant d’atteindre la puberté, signant le début de la fertilité. Chez l’homme, un défaut de sécrétion de GnRH peut conduire à un hypogonadisme hypogonadotrope idiopathique (IHH) caractérisé par une subfertilité et une puberté retardée voire absente, ou même à un syndrome de Kallmann. Dans une grande partie des cas ce défaut de sécrétion est lié à un défaut de développement prénatal et à une diminution du nombre de neurones à GnRH dans dans l’hypothalamus. Depuis peu, la grande famille des semaphorines, déjà connues pour leurs effets chimiotactiques dans certains types cellulaires, et en particulier la semaphorine3A (Sema3A) via son récepteur la Neuropilin-1 (Nrp1), a été décrite comme un facteur indispensable au développement du système à GnRH et décrit comme un « gène Kallmann ». Toutefois son rôle spécifique dans les cellules à GnRH reste à élucider. Le premier objectif de ma thèse a donc été de déterminer le rôle de l’expression du récepteur Nrp1 dans les neurones à GnRH. Le suivi de la maturation sexuelle des animaux Gnrh::cre, Nrp1loxp/loxp (qui n’expriment pas la Nrp1 exclusivement dans les neurones à GnRH) a révélé l’apparition d’une puberté précoce et d’un phénotype de surpoids en comparaison aux animaux contrôles, corrélé à une accumulation des cellules à GnRH dans l’aire préoptique. L’étude de l’embryogenèse du système à GnRH chez ces animaux a démontré une augmentation du nombre de cellules à GnRH pendant leur migration. Nos résultats obtenus in vivo et in vitro suggèrent que la signalisation Nrp1 a un impact sur la survie des neurones à GnRH, et qu’elle module la motilité des cellules en migration et influe leur positionnement dans le cerveau. Le deuxième objectif de ma thèse a été d’étudier le rôle de l’exocytose dépendante du calcium et donc de la neurosécrétion dans les neurones à GnRH sur leur développement. Le suivi de la physiologie d’animaux Gnrh::cre; iBot, dont l’exocytose dépendante du calcium est abolit par clivage de protéine VAMP2/synaptobrevin 2 dans le neurone à GnRH, a révélé l’apparition de deux phénotypes distincts selon la pénétrance du transgène : un groupe ayant une puberté normale et un poids comparable aux animaux contrôles, et un groupe ayant une puberté retardée voire inexistante associé à un surpoids. Ces derniers présentent un IHH, une augmentation du tissu adipeux périgonadique et une hyperleptinémie, alors que la distribution des neurones à GnRH dans le cerveau n’est pas altérée. Ces données mettent en évidence le fait que l’activité de neurosécrétion dans les neurones à GnRH ne serait pas nécessaire pour leur développement embryonnaire, mais qu’elle pourrait jouer un rôle dans le maintien de l’homéostasie énergétique.Ces deux études mettent en avant un lien étroit entre axe gonadotrope et métabolisme énergétique chez les mammifères et ont dévoilés de nouveaux mécanismes qui pourraient être impliqués dans la physiopathologie de la reproduction chez l’homme. / Fertility in mammals is the result of a long development and maturation process of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The reproductive function is orchestrated by a small population of neurons, located in preoptic area of hypothalamus in rodents, and releasing in a pulsatile manner Gonadotropin-releasing hormon (GnRH) in the portal blood vessels, where it is transported to the anterior pituitary gland. GnRH neuropeptide triggers synthesis and release of the gonadotropins LH and FSH, which in turn stimulates development and function of the gonads. GnRH neurons differenciate extracerebraly in the nasal placode and migrate from the vomeronasal organ to the forebrain along olfactory/vomeronasal nerves. At birth, the system is ready, however it will undergo a maturation phase before reaching puberty, signing the beginning of fertility. Deficiency in GnRH release can lead to idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH), characterized by a defect in sexual maturation and delayed or no puberty, or even to Kallmann syndrome when the IHH is associated with a deficit in the sens of smell. These phenotypes could be linked to a defect during GnRH neuron migration period and a decrease of GnRH cells located in hypothalamus after birth. Numerous studies have described the influence of different molecules on the migration of GnRH neurons. Recently, the semaphorin family, well known for its chemotactic effects in some cell types, and particularly the semaphorin3A (Sema3A), has been described by our laboratory as an essential factor for the guidance of GnRH neurons during embryogenesis, and characterized as a « Kallmann gene ». However, the role of Sema3A, and its specific receptor Neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) in GnRH neurons remains to be elucidated. The first objective of my thesis was to determine the role of the expression of Nrp1 in GnRH neurons. The analysis of sexual maturation in mice in which Nrp1 expression was selectively knocked out in GnRH neurons revealed a precocious onset of puberty and overweight compared to control littermates, correlated with an accumulation of GnRH neurons in preoptic area. The study of the development of the GnRH system during embryogenesis has shown an increased number of cells during migration. In vivo and in vitro data suggested the involvement of Nrp1 signaling pathway in the survival of GnRH neurons, the control of their motility during migration, and their final positioning in the brain.The second objective of my thesis was to study the role of Calcium-dependent exocytosis, and thus neurosecretion, in GnRH neurons on their development. The monitoring of Gnrh::cre; iBot animals, in which calcium-dependent exocytosis is abolished by cleavage of VAMP2/synaptobrevin2 protein in GnRH neurons, showed the distinction of two different phenotypes. A subpopulation of mice underwent normal puberty onset, with a similar bodyweight than control littermates, and the other one never reached puberty and developed overweight. The later animals exihibited IHH, increase of the volume of perigonadic fat tissue, and hyperleptinemia, with no alteration of GnRH neuron number and distribution. This data established that neurosecretion in GnRH neurons is not a prerequisite for their migration during embryonic development but revealed that it could play an important role in metabolic homeostasis.Together these two studies highlight an intriguing direct connection between GnRH neurons and energy metabolism in mammals as well as new mechanisms that could be implicated in reproductive physiopathology in human.

Dans cette thèse, nous étudions les propriétés de synchronisation d'oscillateurs lents-rapides inspirés de la neuroendocrinologie et des neurosciences, en se concentrant sur les effets des phénomènes de type canard et bifurcations dynamiques sur le comportement collectif.Nous partons d'un système de dimension 4 qui représente les caractéristiques dynamiques qualitatives et quantitatives du profil de sécrétion de la neurohormone GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) au cours d'un cycle ovarien. Ce modèle est constitué de deux oscillateurs de FitzHugh-Nagumo avec pour chacun des échelles de temps différentes. Le couplage unidirectionnel de l'oscillateur lent (représentant l'activité moyenne d'une population de neurones régulateurs) vers l'oscillateur rapide (représentant l'activité moyenne d'une population de neurones sécréteurs) donne une structure à trois échelles de temps. Le comportement de l'oscillateur rapide est caractérisé par une alternance entre un régime de type cycle de relaxation et un régime de quasi-stationnaire qui induit des transitions de type canard dans le modèle ; ces transitions ont un fort impact sur le modèle de sécrétion du système de dimension 4. Nous proposons un premier pas supplémentaire dans la modélisation multi-échelles (en espace) du système GnRH, c'est-à-dire que nous étendons le système original à 6 dimensions en considérant deux sous-populations distinctes de neurones sécréteurs recevant le même signal des neurones de régulation. Cette étape nous permet de enrichir les motifs possibles de sécrétion de GnRH tout en gardant un cadre dynamique compact et en préservant la séquence des événements neuro-sécréteurs capturés par le modèle de dimension 4, à la fois qualitativement et quantitativement.Une première analyse du modèle GnRH étendu à 6 dimensions est présentée dans le Chapitre 2, où nous montrons à l'aide d'un système minimal de dimension 5 l'existence de trajectoires de type canard dans des systèmes lents-rapides couplés présentant des points pseudo-stationnaires. Le couplage provoque la séparation des trajectoires correspondant à chaque sécréteur qui se retrouvent de chaque côté du canard maximal (associé soit à un point pseudo-stationnaire de type noeud soit à un pseudo-col). Nous explorons les rapports entre les canards en présence et le couplage, ainsi que leur impact sur les motifs de sécrétion collective du modèle de dimension 6. Nous identifions deux sources différentes de (dé)synchronisation due aux canards dans les événements sécrétoires, qui dépendent du type de point pseudo-stationnaire sous-jacent.Dans le Chapitre 3, nous proposons une modélisation possible des comportements complexes de sécrétion de GnRH qui ne sont pas capturés par le modèle de dimension 4, à savoir, une décharge avec 2 ``bosses'' et une désynchronisation partielle avant la décharge, en utilisant le modèle de dimension 6 précédemment construit. Pour obtenir une décharge avec deux bosses, il est essentiel d'utiliser des fonctions de couplage asymétriques dépendant du régulateur ainsi que d'introduire de l'hétérogénéité dans les sous-populations de sécréteurs. Pendant le régime pulsatile, il apparaît que le signal régulateur varie lentement et, ce faisant, provoque une bifurcation dynamique qui est responsable de la perte de synchronie dans le cas de sécréteurs non identiques et asymétriquement couplés. Nous introduisons des outils analytiques et numériques pour façonner et quantifier ces caractéristiques supplémentaires et les intégrer dans le profil complet de sécrétion. / This dissertation investigates synchronization properties of slow-fast oscillators inspired from neuroendocrinology and neuronal dynamics, focusing on the effects of canard phenomena and dynamic bifurcations on the collective behavior. We start from a 4-dimensional system which accounts for the qualitative and quantitative dynamical features of the secretion pattern of the neurohormone GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) along a whole ovarian cycle. This model involves 2 FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators with different timescales. Unidirectional coupling from the slow oscillator (representing the mean-field activity of a population of regulating neurons) to the fast oscillator (representing the mean-field activity of a population of the secreting neurons) gives a three timescale structure. The behavior of the fast oscillator is characterized by an alternation between a relaxation cycle and a quasi-stationary state which introduces canard-mediated transitions in the model; these transitions have a strong impact on the secretion pattern of the 4-dimensional system. We make a first step forward in multiscale modeling (in space) of the GnRH system, namely, we extend the original system to 6 dimensions by considering two distinct subpopulations of secreting neurons receiving the same signal from the regulating neurons. This step allows us to enrich further the GnRH secretion pattern while keeping a compact dynamic framework and preserving the sequence of neurosecretory events captured by the 4-dimensional model, both qualitatively and quantitatively. An initial analysis of the extended 6-dimensional GnRH model is presented in Chapter 2, where we prove using a 5D minimal model the existence of canard trajectories in coupled systems with folded singularities. Coupling causes separation of trajectories corresponding to each secretor by driving them to different sides of the maximal canard (associated with either a folded-node or a folded-saddle singularity). We explore the impact of the relationship between canard structures and coupling on the collective secretion pattern of the 6-dimensional model. We identify two different sources of canard-mediated (de)synchronization in the secretory events, which depend on the type of underlying folded singularity. In Chapter 3, we attempt to model complex behaviors of the GnRH secretion not captured by the 4-dimensional model, namely, a surge with 2 bumps and partial desynchronization before the surge, by using the 6-dimensional model previously constructed. Regulatory-dependent asymmetric coupling functions and heterogeneity in the secretor subpopulations are essential for obtaining such a 2-bump surge. During the pulsatile regime, we find that the slowly varying regulatory signal causes a dynamic bifurcation, which is responsible for loss of synchrony in asymmetrically coupled nonidentical secretors. We introduce analytic and numerical tools to shape and quantify the additional features embedded within the whole secretion pattern.

The misassembly of soluble proteins into toxic aggregates, including amyloid fibrils, underlies a large number of human degenerative diseases. Cardiac amyloidosis, which is most commonly, caused by aggregation of Immunoglobulin (Ig) light chains or transthyretin (TTR) in the cardiac muscle, represent an important and often underdiagnosed cause of heart failure. TTR-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathies are chronic and progressive conditions that lead to arrhythmias, biventricular heart failure, and death. As no Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs are currently available for treatment of these diseases, the development of therapeutic agents that prevent TTR-mediated cardiotoxicity is desired. AG10 is a potent and selective kinetic stabilizer of TTR. AG10 prevents dissociation of TTR in serum samples obtained from patients with amyloid cardiomyopathy. The oral bioavailability and selectivity of AG10, makes it a very promising candidate to treat TTR amyloid cardiomyopathy. Understanding the reason behind the potency of AG10 would be beneficial for designing stabilizers for other amyloid diseases. This would be possible by designing and synthesizing structural analogues of AG10. Here we report the synthesis, characterization and analysis of AG10 analogs and the comparison of the in vitro activities of the synthesized analogs. The tremendous therapeutic potential of peptides has not been fulfilled and potential peptide therapies that have failed far outnumber the successes so far. A major challenge impeding the more widespread use of peptides as therapeutics is their poor pharmacokinetic profile, due to short In vivo half-life resulting from inactivation by serum proteases and rapid elimination by kidneys. Extending the In vivo half-life of peptides is clearly desirable in order for their therapeutic potential to be realized, without the need for high doses and/or frequent administration. Covalent conjugation of peptides to macromolecules (e.g. polyethylene glycol or serum proteins such albumin) has been the mainstay approach for enhancing the In vivo half-life of peptides. However, the steric hindrance and immunogenicity of these large macromolecules often compromises the In vivo efficacy of the peptides. Recently, our laboratory established the first successful reversible method of extending the half-life of peptides using serum protein TTR. The approach involved the use of a TTR Ligand for Half-life Extension (TLHE-1) which binds to TTR with high specificity and affinity. We have shown that our technology extends the half-life of multiple peptides without seriously affecting their activity. Our main objective here is to modify the structure of TLHE1 using linkers with different length and composition to optimize its affinity and selectivity for TTR in human serum.

With approximately 8.5 million unwanted cats euthanized in the U.S. annually, convenient, cost effective methods of sterilization are greatly needed. Current spay/neuter techniques, such as surgery and hormonal intervention, are not satisfying this need due to their high cost, significant expertise required, and the need for feral cats to be collected and brought into clinics for treatment. The aim of this research is to develop a safe contraceptive vaccine that could be delivered to the feral cat population in bait without compromising non-feline species. Feline Herpes Virus (FHV) is a feline specific virus. The USDA has approved the immunization of cats with an attenuated, non-pathogenic strain of FHV expressing foreign antigens. In our research, we have partially replaced Glycoprotein I of FHV to express a fusion protein of Flagellin (FliC), Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP), and Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH). FliC has been shown to stimulate a heightened antibody response when antigens are expressed as fusion proteins with it. GnRH, a major reproductive hormone responsible for the development of testes and ovaries in felines, is the target of our vaccine vector. Expression of EGFP will allow tracking of the viral vector. The expression of the fusion protein (FliC-EGFP-GnRH) is expected to stimulate an antibody and cell mediated immune response directed towards feline GnRH, which will provide an immunocontraceptive effect specific to cats. / Master of Science

Le récepteur hypophysaire de la GnRH (RGnRH) joue un rôle crucial dans le contrôle de la fonctionde reproduction. Dans le promoteur distal du Rgnrh, j'ai caractérisé un élément de réponsebifonctionnel répondant aux protéines LIM à homéodomaine ISL1/LHX3 et à GATA2. D'autre part,deux motifs TAAT situés dans la région plus proximale confèrent à ce gène la capacité de répondreaux facteurs Paired-like PROP1 et OTX2. Tous ces facteurs, exprimés précocement au cours del'ontogenèse hypophysaire, pourraient participer à l'émergence de l'expression du Rgnrh. Hors del'hypophyse, j'ai découvert que le Rgnrh est exprimé au cours du développement postnatal dansl'hippocampe de rat, où il module la plasticité synaptique. Par ailleurs, j'ai identifié deux nouveauxsites d'expression, la rétine et la glande pinéale. Ces résultats mettent en lumière l'importancefonctionnelle de ce récepteur et de son ligand et les rôles multiples qu'il ont acquis au cours del'évolution des Vertébrés.