Distribution of β-Endorphin Immunoreactivity in the Arcuate Nucleus and Median Eminence of Postpartum Anestrus and Luteal Phase Cows

1992 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 436-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Steven Leshin ◽  
Laurie A. Rund ◽  
Robert R. Kraeling ◽  
Joe W. Crim ◽  
Terry E. Kiser
Endocrinology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 156 (5) ◽  
pp. 1828-1837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Ezzat ◽  
Alda Pereira ◽  
Iain J. Clarke

We tested the hypothesis that kisspeptin cells constitute the “pulse generator” for GnRH secretion. In ewes, we determined whether iv administered kisspeptin elicits a secretory pulse of LH in anaesthetized, sex-steroid suppressed ovariectomized ewes. A response was seen in both anaesthetized and conscious animals, which was not associated with induction of c-Fos labeling in GnRH cells, supporting the notion that kisspeptin acts on the neurosecretory GnRH terminals. Response was lower in the anaesthetized animals, suggesting that some nonkisspeptin elements may be involved in GnRH responses. Microinjection of kisspeptin (100 nmol) into the median eminence of conscious ewes elicited a pulse of LH, indicating that kisspeptin acts at this level to cause GnRH secretion. To determine which cells are activated at the time of GnRH secretion, we blood sampled 18 ewes during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle and harvested brains after 3 hours. Three of these ewes displayed a pulse of LH within 30 minutes of euthanasia. An increase in c-Fos labeling was seen in kisspeptin and glutamate cells of the arcuate nucleus but not in GnRH neurons, preoptic kisspeptin neurons, or preoptic glutamate neurons. Immunohistochemistry in 4 hypothalami showed that 72% of arcuate kisspeptin cells receive glutamatergic input. These data support the concept that the kisspeptin cells of the arcuate nucleus drive pulsatile secretion of GnRH at the level of the median eminence, but this may involve “upstream” input from glutamate cells. We conclude that the pulse generator for GnRH secretion involves more than 1 element.


Author(s):  
K.A. Carson ◽  
C.B. Nemeroff ◽  
M.S. Rone ◽  
J.S. Kizer ◽  
J.S. Hanker

Biochemical, physiological, pharmacological, and more recently enzyme histo- chemical data have indicated that cholinergic circuits exist in the hypothalamus. Ultrastructural correlates of these pathways such as acetylcholinesterase (AchE) positive neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and stained terminals in the median eminence (ME) have yet to be described. Initial studies in our laboratories utilizing chemical lesioning and microdissection techniques coupled with microchemical and light microscopic enzyme histo- chemical studies suggested the existence of cholinergic neurons in the ARC which project to the ME (1). Furthermore, in adult male rats with Halasz deafferentations (hypothalamic islands composed primarily of the isolated ARC and the ME) choline acetyltransferase (ChAc) activity, a good marker for cholinergic neurons, was not significantly reduced in the ME and was only somewhat reduced in the ARC (2). Treatment of neonatal rats with high doses of monosodium 1-glutamate (MSG) results in a lesion largely restricted to the neurons of the ARC.


Endocrinology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 154 (11) ◽  
pp. 4249-4258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey C Nestor ◽  
Lique M. Coolen ◽  
Gail L. Nesselrod ◽  
Miro Valent ◽  
John M. Connors ◽  
...  

Orphanin FQ (OFQ), a member of the opioid family, is found in many areas of the hypothalamus and, when given centrally OFQ inhibits episodic LH secretion in rodents and sheep. Because GnRH neurons are devoid of the appropriate receptors to mediate steroid negative feedback directly, neurons that release OFQ may be involved. Using immunocytochemistry, we first determined that most OFQ neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and other hypothalamic regions of luteal phase ewes contained both estrogen receptor α and progesterone (P) receptor. Given a similar high degree of steroid receptor colocalization in other ARC subpopulations, we examined whether OFQ neurons of the ARC contained those other neuropeptides and neurotransmitters. OFQ did not colocalize with kisspeptin, tyrosine hydroxylase, or agouti-related peptide, but all ARC OFQ neurons coexpressed proopiomelanocortin. To test for a role for endogenous OFQ, we examined the effects of an OFQ receptor antagonist, [Nphe1,Arg14,Lys15]Nociceptin-NH2 (UFP-101) (30 nmol intracerebroventricular/h), on LH secretion in steroid-treated ewes in the breeding season and ovary-intact ewes in anestrus. Ovariectomized ewes with luteal phase concentrations of P and estradiol showed a significant increase in LH pulse frequency during infusion of UFP-101 (4.5 ± 0.5 pulses/6 h) compared with saline infusion (2.6 ± 0.4 pulses/6 h), whereas ewes implanted with only estradiol did not. Ovary-intact anestrous ewes displayed no significant differences in LH pulse amplitude or frequency during infusion of UFP-101. Therefore, we conclude that OFQ mediates, at least in part, the negative feedback action of P on GnRH/LH pulse frequency in sheep.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document