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Preoptic Unit Responses to Microelectrophoresis of Neurotensin and its Antiserum in Female Rats
Author(s) -
Akema Tatsuo,
Kimuraf Fukuko
Publication year - 1990
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 - 10.1111/j.1365-2826.1990.tb00843.x
Subject(s) - neurotensin , endocrinology , medicine , microelectrophoresis , preoptic area , microinjection , ovariectomized rat , hypothalamus , antiserum , excitatory postsynaptic potential , luteinizing hormone , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , biology , stimulation , neuropeptide , chemistry , hormone , antibody , electrophoresis , immunology , genetics , receptor
We and other investigators have demonstrated the stimulation of luteinizing hormone secretion following the microinjection of neurotensin (NT) into the medial preoptic area in female rats. The present study electrophysiologically examined the action of the peptide in the same brain region. Microelectrophoresis of NT produced either excitation or inhibition in 24% of the medial preoptic neurons tested in oestrogen‐primed and unprimed ovariectomized animals. Effective blockade of NT‐induced excitatory and inhibitor unit responses by means of the simultaneous application of an antiserum to NT (anti‐NT) indicated that they were produced by specific actions of the peptide. In addition, anti‐NT by itself altered the spontaneous firing rate in some NT‐responsive cells. These findings are in accord with the hypothesis that the preoptic area is a site of the action of NT in the female rat.