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3 H estradiol in catecholamine neurons of rat brain stem: Combined localization by autoradiography and formaldehyde‐induced fluorescence
Author(s) -
Heritage A. S.,
Grant L. D.,
Stumpf W. E.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.901760410
Subject(s) - pons , midbrain , substantia nigra , medicine , locus ceruleus , pars compacta , nucleus , endocrinology , dopamine , biology , locus coeruleus , medulla , neuron , catecholamine , medulla oblongata , adrenergic neurons , neuroscience , chemistry , central nervous system , dopaminergic , adrenergic , biochemistry , receptor
3 H estradiol–17β was localized in nuclei of catecholamine (CA) neurons of the rat lower brain stem, i.e., midbrain, pons and medulla, by employing a combined formaldehyde‐induced fluorescence (FIF)‐autoradiography approach which permits the direct visualization of 3 H estradiol uptake in relation to CA‐neuron perikarya and terminals. In the medulla, noradrenalin (NA)‐containing neurons in and adjacent to the nucleus (n.) reticularis lateralis (group A1) and in the vicinity of the n. tractus solitarii (group A2) concentrated 3 H estradiol. In the pons, NA neurons dorsal to the n. olivaris superior (group A5), in the locus ceruleus (group A6) and ventral to the pedunculus cerebellaris superior (group A7) displayed 3 H estradiol uptake. In the midbrain, dopamine (DA)‐containing neurons in the n. cuneiformis (group A8), in the zona compacta of the substantia nigra (group A9) and adjacent to the n. interpeduncularis (group A10), were not seen to concentrate 3 H estradiol. This is in contrast to DA neurons in the n. arcuatus of the hypothalamus (group A12), previously reported to concentrate 3 H estradiol. In addition, certain non‐CA‐containing neurons with nuclear uptake of 3 H estradiol were observed to be surrounded by CA terminals in such areas as substantia grisea centralis, n. tractus solitarii and n. tractus spinalis nervi trigemini. This suggests a second mode of interaction between CA neurons and estrogen target neurons. The estradiol‐CA neuron relationships described may provide morphological substrates underlying functional interactions between estradiol and CA neurons in the rat brain.