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Distribution of Aromatase mRNA in the Ram Hypothalamus: An In Situ Hybridization Study
Author(s) -
Luca Roselli,
Stormshak,
Resko
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of neuroendocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.062
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1365-2826
pISSN - 0953-8194
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2826.2000.00496.x
Subject(s) - stria terminalis , hypothalamus , preoptic area , in situ hybridization , medicine , endocrinology , nucleus , aromatase , biology , median preoptic nucleus , neuroscience , messenger rna , subfornical organ , biochemistry , renin–angiotensin system , cancer , breast cancer , blood pressure , gene
The regional distribution of neurones expressing aromatase mRNA in the ram hypothalamus was examined by in situ hybridization using 33 P‐labelled cRNA probes. The highest amounts of hybridization signal were observed in the central part of the medial preoptic nucleus and posterior medial part of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Moderate amounts of hybridization signal were observed in the anteroventral periventricular preoptic nucleus, medial preoptic nucleus and a broad band extending between the medial preoptic nucleus and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Low levels of hybridization signal were observed in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, anterior part of the medial preoptic nucleus, and central part of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. The presence of aromatase mRNA within neurones of the steroid‐sensitive hypothalamic circuit supports a role for aromatization in the mechanism of testosterone action on reproductive function in male sheep. The distribution of aromatase mRNA in the ovine hypothalamus was similar to that described for other vertebrate species, suggesting a high degree of functional conservation across species.