# Transcriptomic regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis by GnRH immunization in Xizang sheep

## TL;DR

This study explores how GnRH immunization affects the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in Xizang sheep, showing it improves immunity and reduces stress compared to surgical castration.

## Contribution

The study reveals novel transcriptomic mechanisms of GnRH immunization in Xizang sheep, linking immune and neuroendocrine responses.

## Key findings

- GnRH immunization increased serum IgA, IgG, IgM, SOD, and GSH while reducing IL-6 and TNF-α in Xizang sheep.
- Hypothalamic genes like CYTB, ATP6, and COX were upregulated, while SHISA7 and PTPRO were downregulated in the immunization group.
- Pituitary gene RPL15 was upregulated, and genes like RPL10A and CACNA1D were downregulated, with enrichment in muscle and ribosome pathways.

## Abstract

Xizang sheep are vital economic livestock in plateau regions. Traditional surgical castration often induces stress and infection. Although immunization presents an alternative method, the physiological mechanisms underlying its effects in Xizang sheep remain unclear. Therefore, this study integrated serum immune-antioxidant indicators with hypothalamus-pituitary transcriptomics to investigate molecular mechanisms of GnRH immunization. Results indicated that serum IgA, IgG, IgM, SOD, and GSH in the immunization (IM) group were significantly higher than in control (CON) and surgical castration (SN) groups, while IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). RNA-seq analysis revealed that hypothalamic CYTB, ATP6, COX, ABLIM1, and ABI3 were significantly upregulated in IM group, whereas SHISA7 and PTPRO were significantly downregulated, with notable enrichment in prion disease, oxidative phosphorylation, and thermogenesis pathways. Pituitary RPL15 was upregulated while RPL10A, CACNA1D, ANK1, DDX3X, and KCNMA1 were significantly downregulated, showing enrichment in myofibril, contractile fiber, sarcomere, and cytosolic ribosome pathways. Association analysis revealed significant positive correlations between IgG and pituitary ATP6, CYTB, TNNI2, as well as hypothalamic COX1, COX, and ND4. In summary, GnRH immunization outperforms surgical castration by modulating hypothalamic-pituitary genes and enhancing immunity and antioxidants in plateau Xizang sheep, achieving integrated neuroendocrine-immune regulation for healthy husbandry of plateau Xizang sheep.