Objective
Most mammals living at temperate latitudes exhibit seasonal reproduction, which is synchronized by photoperiod through the central action of melatonin. In the ewe this translates into the initiation of the breeding season as day-length shortens while the anestrus season is triggered by the photoperiod lengthening, which occurs at the end of winter. We recently characterized a complex pathway by which melatonin acts in the rostral part of the pituitary, known as the pars tuberalis, to yield a local increase of triiodothyronine (T3) within the adjacent medio-basal hypothalamus (MBH). This mechanism accounts for early observations that T3 increase within this region is mandatory for anestrus to occur. Building on these findings, this research program aims at a thorough characterization of the downstream events which ultimately tie the local increase in T3 to the shutdown of the gonadotropic axis. I propose a transcriptomics approach to reveal T3 target genes within the MBH and decipher how their photoperiodic control eventually impacts on the activity of GnRH neurons. Since the long-term objective of this work is to obtain out-of-season lambing without adverse hormonal treatments, the identification of T3 target genes will provide us with potential levers. The use of genetic databases in different ovine breeds presenting varying degrees of seasonality will help to assess the physiological role of these genes and lead to an improved genetic selection. The increase of T3 within the MBH requires the presence of its precursor, the thyroxine T4, in the cerebrospinal fluid. Since T4 gains access to the CSF through the choroid plexuses, the latter constitute another potential target to modulate seasonal reproduction. Therefore, we will also evaluate the impact of photoperiod on the transcriptome of this tissue. These data will provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of photoperiodism and offer potential avenues to develop innovative breeding strategies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences databases
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)
Coordinator
75007 PARIS CEDEX 07
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.