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Prolactin influences the excitability of subfornical organ neurons (1129.3)
Author(s) -
Black Emily,
Grattan Dave,
Ferguson Alastair
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.1129.3
Subject(s) - prolactin , depolarization , subfornical organ , medicine , endocrinology , hyperpolarization (physics) , neuroscience , chemistry , membrane potential , prolactin receptor , posterior pituitary , biology , hormone , receptor , pituitary gland , angiotensin ii , organic chemistry , nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Prolactin is a hormone that is involved in multiple physiological functions in vertebrates. Prolactin receptor mRNA has been identified in the subfornical organ (SFO) through microarray analysis (Hindmarch et al 2008). The current study was therefore carried out in order to determine the effects of prolactin on the excitability of SFO neurons. We used the whole‐cell patch clamp technique to determine the influence of prolactin on the membrane potential of dissociated SFO neurons. We found that 55% (11 of 20) of neurons responded when treated with prolactin (1 uM and 100nM). Of the cells that responded, 54% (n=6) depolarized with a mean depolarization of 7.7 ± 3.3 mV and 46% (n=5) hyperpolarized with a mean hyperpolarization of ‐8.0 ± 3.6 mV. This study suggests the SFO as a potential central nervous system site at which prolactin may act to influence central autonomic integration. Grant Funding Source : Canadian Institutes for Health Research