Fig 1: Developmental profiles of Kiss1 mRNA and protein expression in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) and arcuate nucleus (ARC) in intact female, ovariectomized (OVX), and estradiol-treated OVX rats (OVX + E2) from the neonatal stage to the onset of puberty. Ovariectomy was conducted on day 14, and specimens were collected on days 23, 27, and on the day of vaginal opening (VO) or day 34. Each group contained four to eight animals (A) Kiss1 mRNA expression of the AVPV was quantified by RT-qPCR. Each value was quantified on the basis of the value of Kiss1 mRNA expression in the AVPV on day 4. (B) Kiss1 mRNA expression of the ARC was quantified by RT-qPCR. Each value was quantified on the basis of the value of Kiss1 mRNA expression in the ARC on day 4. (C) Kiss1 protein levels in the AVPV were quantified by western immunoblotting. (D) Kiss1 protein levels in the ARC were quantified by western immunoblotting. Each group contained four to eight animals. RT-qPCR analyses and western immunoblotting analyses were performed in triplicate. Data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean. a Significant difference (p < 0.05) in levels compared to those in intact female rats; b Significant difference (p < 0.05) in levels compared to those in OVX rats.