Parathyroid hormone 2 receptor and its endogenous ligand tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues are concentrated in endocrine,viscerosensory and auditory brain regions in macaque and human

Parathyroid hormone receptor 2 (PTH2R) and its ligand, tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues (TIP39) constitute a neuromodulator system implicated in endocrine and nociceptive regulation. We now describe the presence and distribution of the PTH2R and TIP39 in the brain of primates using a range of tissues and ages from macaque and human brain. In situ hybridization histochemistry of TIP39 mRNA, studied in young macaque brain, due to its possible decline beyond late postnatal ages, was present only in the thalamic subparafascicular area and the pontine medial paralemniscal nucleus. In contrast, in situ hybridization histochemistry in macaque identified high levels of PTH2R expression in the central amygdaloid nucleus, medial preoptic area, hypothalamic paraventricular and periventricular nuclei, medial geniculate, and the pontine tegmentum. PTH2R mRNA was also detected in several human brain areas by RT-PCR. The distribution of PTH2R-immunoreactive fibers in human, determined by immunocytochemistry, was similar to that in rodents, including dense fiber networks in the medial preoptic area, hypothalamic paraventricular, periventricular and infundibular (arcuate) nuclei, lateral hypothalamic area, median eminence, thalamic paraventricular nucleus, periaqueductal gray, lateral parabrachial nucleus, nucleus of the solitary tract, sensory trigeminal nuclei, medullary dorsal reticular nucleus, and dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Co-localization suggested that PTH2R fibers are glutamatergic, and that TIP39 may directly influence hypophysiotropic somatostatin containing and indirectly influence corticotropin releasing-hormone containing neurons. The results demonstrate that TIP39 and the PTH2R are expressed in the brain of primates in locations that suggest involvement in regulation of fear, anxiety, reproductive behaviors, release of pituitary hormones, and nociception.     

Direct hypothalamic innervation of the trigeminal motor nucleus: a retrograde tracer study

It is currently thought that the hypothalamus influences motor output through connections with premotor structures which in turn project to motor nuclei. However, hypocretinergic/orexinergic projections to different motor pools have recently been demonstrated. The present study was undertaken to examine whether hypocretinergic/orexinergic neurons are the only source of projections from the hypothalamus to the trigeminal motor nucleus in the guinea-pig. Cholera toxin subunit b was injected into the trigeminal motor nucleus in order to retrogradely label premotor neurons. Two anatomically separated populations of labeled neurons were observed in the hypothalamus: one group was distributed along the dorsal zone of the lateral hypothalamic area, the lateral portion of the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and the perifornical nucleus; the other was located within the periventricular portion of the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus. Numerous cholera toxin subunit b+ neurons in both populations displayed glutamate-like immunoreactivity. In addition, premotor neurons containing hypocretin/orexin were distributed throughout the lateral dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, perifornical nucleus and lateral hypothalamic area. Other premotor neurons were immunostained for melanin concentrating hormone; these cells, which were located within the lateral hypothalamic area and the perifornical nucleus, were intermingled with glutamatergic and hypocretinergic/orexinergic neurons. Nitrergic premotor neurons were located only in the periventricular zone of the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus. None of the hypothalamic premotor neurons were GABAergic, cholinergic or monoaminergic. The existence of diverse neurotransmitter systems projecting from the hypothalamus to the trigeminal motor pool indicates that this diencephalic structure may influence the numerous functions that are subserved by the trigeminal motor system.     

Organization of galanin-like immunoreactive neuronal systems in weakly electric fish (Apteronotus leptorhynchus).

Immunohistochemical procedures were used to investigate the distribution of galanin-like immunoreactive neuronal somata, fiber pathways and apparent termination fields in the gymnotiform brain. Immunoreactive somata were observed only in the hypothalamus and were confined to preoptic, lateral and caudal hypothalamic regions. Within these areas, positive cells tended to be most concentrated in juxtaventricular nuclei. Dense immunoreactive fiber systems originating from hypothalamic regions were seen to project in separate or coalescing fiber bundles to the basal telencephalan, thalamus/tuberal diencephalon, midbrain and brainstem. The density of positive axons and boutons was quite variable, but regions which displayed the most massive network of axons included structures within the hypothalamus itself (anterior periventricular preoptic nucleus, caudal and lateral hypothalamus), ventral telencephalon (superior and ventral subdivisions), thalamic/tuberal areas (central posterior nucleus and tuberal neuropil within the ventral territory of the prepacemaker nucleus) and brainstem nuclei (dorsal reticular nucleus and the medial paralemniscal nucleus). Within these areas axons appeared more randomly distributed and varicose than along fiber tracs, and in counterstained sections were occasionally seen in apposition to unstained neuronal cell bodies and dendrites. In addition, a system of fibers was seen in the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary. It is concluded that galanin-like immunoreactive neurons in the gymnotiform brain have a more restricted distribution than those in mammals, and that the major fiber systems emanating from the hypothalamus resemble the diverse projections of the tuberomammillary nucleus of higher vertebrates. The anatomy of galanin-like immunoreactive systems in the apteronotid brain suggests a role in neuroendocrine regulation and an involvement with anatomical areas controlling aggressive and courtship behaviour.     

Hypophysiotrophic systems in the brain of the Atlantic salmon. Neuronal innervation of the pituitary and the origin of pituitary dopamine and nonapeptides identified by means of combined carbocyanine tract tracing and immunocytochemistry

The neuroanatomical organization of neurons projecting to the pituitary and the origin of pituitary dopamine and nonapeptides were investigated in the brain of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Carbocyanine tract tracing in combination with tyrosine hydroxylase, arginine vasotocin and isotocin immunocytochemistry for double labelling revealed a previously unknown organization of hypophysiotrophic cell groups and their extrahypothalamic projections, and provide the first direct identification in a teleost fish of the origin of the dopaminergic and nonapeptidergic innervation of the pituitary. The present data include identification of (1) hypophysiotrophic neurons in the ventral telencephalon and in the periventricular preoptic nucleus, (2) large (magnocellular) vasotocinergic hypophysiotrophic neurons in the most rostral extension of the preoptic area, (3) a distinct neuronal group located in a supraoptic/suprachiasmatic position in the anterior periventricular nucleus, that seems to be the major source of dopaminergic innervation of the pituitary, (4) the nonapeptidergic hypophysiotrophic neurons in the preoptic nucleus, (5) hypophysiotrophic neurons in the ventral and posterior hypothalamus of which some are of liquor-contacting type, (6) projections from hypophysiotrophic and non-hypophysiotrophic neurons in the preoptic nucleus to extrahypothalamic areas such as thalamic and periventricular pretectal nuclei, and (7) subdivisions within the preoptic nucleus that exhibit different combinations of hypophysiotrophic and extrahypothalamic efferent connections. Together with previous studies of retinohypothalamic projections and neurochemical organization of hypothalamic/preoptic areas, the present data suggest that the preoptic nucleus and the anterior periventricular nucleus in teleosts possess functional subdivisions with features that resemble those of the paraventricular, supraoptic and suprachiasmatic nuclei of other vertebrates. In the Atlantic salmon, specific dopaminergic and nonapeptidergic neuronal subdivisions are proposed to play a role for photoperiod control of endocrine activity.     

雌性大鼠下丘脑5-羟色胺1A和2A受体亚型的定位分布

本研究应用免疫细胞化学技术观察了雌性成年SD大鼠下丘脑内5-HT1A受体亚型(5-HT1AR)和5-HT2AR免疫阳性结构的分布。结果显示:5-HT1AR免疫阳性神经元在视前区大细胞核、视前室周核、视上核和下丘脑外侧前核等核团内密集分布。在内侧视前核、外侧视前区、下丘脑室周核、下丘脑外侧区、背内侧核、腹内侧核、结节核、结节乳头体核、乳头体内侧核和乳头体外侧核等结构内也有较多的分布;而在正中视前核、视交叉上核、下丘脑室旁核、下丘脑背侧核、弓状核、乳头体上核和乳头体前核等部位有散在的分布。与5-HT1AR不同,5-HT2AR免疫阳性反应产物主要见于纤维和终末,阳性胞体少且染色淡。5-HT2AR阳性胞体见于下丘脑室旁核、视上核、腹内侧核、结节核、视前内侧区、外侧区、外侧前核、下丘脑背内侧核等处。另外,在视前区前内侧视前核、视交叉上核背侧和外侧可见围绕血管分布、密集成团簇状、带有大小不同膨体的阳性神经纤维缠结。本文结果提示5-HT1AR阳性结构广泛地分布于大鼠下丘脑,而5-HT2AR在下丘脑分布较为局限。二者不同的分布特点,提示它们可能介导5-HT在下丘脑的不同生理功能。     

Neuronal fields containing luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) in mouse brain.

Immunocytochemical localization of the hypothalamic neurohormone luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) was performed in mouse brain using the unlabeled peroxidase anti-peroxidase technique. Antisera derived from serum albumin conjugates to the decapeptide (or its analog) achieved by four conjugation procedures were used to determine the antigenic form of LHRH which reveals the various neuronal compartments. Antisera derived from LHRH conjugated to bovine serum albumin at the 2-histidyl position revealed a population of LHRH-containing cell bodies in the retrochiasmatic area, tuberal area and arcuate nucleus (the LHRH Field I). LHRH-positive fibers and terminals were seen in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis and the median eminence. Fibers from the Field I neurons also coursed rostrally through the medial division of the hypothalamus and circumscribed the anterior commissure or projected dorsally into the thalamus. Antisera generated against conjugates to the N- or C-terminal of LHRH revealed a second population of LHRH perikarya. These were scattered throughout the medial preoptic, preoptic periventricular and medial septal areas (the LHRH Field II). A few neurons were found in the lateral arcuate nucleus. Fibers from septal and preoptic Field II neurons projected to the organum vasculosum. Immunoreactive fibers were found in the median eminence and thalamic regions in patterns similar to those previously described. Median eminence fibers appeared to arise in the regions of Field I neurons which did not stain with the end conjugate antisera. Antisera generated against a LHRH tyrosyl conjugate stained median eminence and organum vasculosum fibers but failed to stain perikarya in either field.The results of this study suggest the presence of two distinct immunoreactive populations of LHRH-containing perikarya, which are not contained within or restricted to any of the recognized hypothalamic nuclei.     

Distribution of dopamine-immunoreactive neuronal perikarya and fibres in the brain of a teleost, Gasterosteus aculeatus L. comparison with tyrosine hydroxylase- and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons

The distribution of dopamine in the brain of the teleost Gasterosteus aculeatus L. was demonstrated with the indirect peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemical method using highly specific antibodies against a dopamine-glutaraldehyde-thyroglobulin conjugate. Dopamine-immunoreactive (DAir) neuronal somata were observed in all main brain regions. In the forebrain, DAir neurons were located in a continuous cell column extending from the caudal part of the olfactory bulbs to the preoptic area. The neurons lie lateral to the dorsal (and caudally to the subcommissural) portion of the ventral telencephalic area, and ventromedial to the central nuclei of the dorsal area. In the diencephalon, cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons were located in the paraventricular organ and in the subependymal layers of the dorsal and caudal zones of the periventricular hypothalamus. Small DAir neurons were observed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, in the parvocellular preoptic nucleus and in the ventromedial thalamic nucleus, while large perikarya were observed dorsolateral to the dorsal zone of the periventricular hypothalamus ('PVO-accompanying cells'), in the posterior tuberal nucleus and in the most rostral portion of the mammillary bodies. Numerous small DAir neurons were located in the periventricular pretectal nucleus. In the brainstem, DAir neurons were observed in the isthmus region, in the dorsal raphe nucleus and in the lateral parts of the nucleus of the solitary tract. DAir perikarya were also observed in the area postrema. Direct comparison with the distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase- and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-immunoreactivity (THir and DBHir) gave the following results: THir neurons were found in all areas where DAir neurons were located, except for the paraventricular organ and the dorsal and caudal zones of the periventricular hypothalamus, which were devoid of THir. DBHir (putatively noradrenergic or adrenergic) neurons were observed in the lateral parts of the nucleus of the solitary tract, and in the isthmus region. The DBHir neurons in the isthmus region, which have previously been shown to be noradrenergic, appeared to be identical with the THir and DAir neurons of the same area. DAir axons were found in high numbers in most parts of the brain. Especially dense innervation was found in the ventrolateral and posterior parts of the dorsal telencephalic area, the region surrounding the lateral recesses of the third ventricle, the interpeduncular nucleus, the dorsal and median raphe nuclei (the rostral raphe nuclei), and in the nucleus of the solitary tract.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Efferent connections of the septal area in a lizard (tupinambis nigropunctatus)

Electrolytic lesions were placed in the septal area of the lizard Tupinambis nigropunctatus, and the subsequent anterograde degeneration was studied by the use of reduced silver techniques. Telencephalic projections were found to the dorsal cortex and the nucleus of the anterior commissure. Descending fibers appeared to terminate in the preoptic area, dorsolateral and dorsomedial thalamic nuclei, medial thalamic nucleus, nucleus periventricularis hypothalami, lateral hypothalamic area, mamillary body and mesencephalic central grey. All of these connections were found to be ipsilateral.     

Distribution of cholinergic neurons and fibers in the hypothalamus of the rat using choline acetyltransferase as a marker

The distribution of choline-acetyltransferase-like immunoreactive structures in the rat hypothalamus and preoptic area was examined by using avidin-biotin immunocytochemistry. We found that the hypothalamus is richly innervated by the cholinergic neuron system. Sites containing cholinergic neurons of varying density were: medial and lateral preoptic areas, septohypothalamic nucleus, median preoptic area, lateral hypothalamus including the perifornical area, anterior hypothalamic nucleus, arcuate nucleus, dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, posterior hypothalamic nucleus, dorsal and ventral premammilary nuclei, neuropil mediodorsal to the anterior hypothalamic nucleus, neuropil ventral to the anterior hypothalamic nucleus and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, neuropil between lateral hypothalamus and ventromedial hypothalamus, and neuropil between dorsal premammilary nucleus and posterior hypothalamic nucleus. There were also many varicose and non-varicose fibers in the preoptic area and hypothalamus. Two kinds of varicose fibers, one with strong immunoreactivity and the other with weak immunoreactivity, were seen. Non-varicose fibers were also detected in the optic chiasma and habenulo-interpeduncular tract. These fibers were passing fibers.     

Atrial natriuretic polypeptide: topographical distribution in the rat brain by radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemistry

The widespread distribution of neurons containing alpha-atrial natriuretic polypeptide-like immunoreactivity in the rat brain was demonstrated using radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemistry in conjunction with specific antisera. The highest concentrations of alpha-atrial natriuretic polypeptide-like immunoreactivity were in the hypothalamus and septum, with low but still appreciable concentrations in the mesencephalon, cerebral cortex, olfactory bulb and thalamus by radioimmunoassay. Immunohistochemical studies clearly showed that the perikarya of immunoreactive neurons are most prevalent in the ventral part of the lateral septal nucleus, periventricular preoptic nucleus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, periventricular and dorsal parts of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, ventromedial nucleus, dorsomedial nucleus, arcuate nucleus, median mamillary nucleus, supramamillary nucleus, zona incerta, medial habenular nucleus and the periaqueductal grey matter. Scattered neurons were seen in the cingulate cortex, endopiriform nucleus, lateral hypothalamic area, and pretectal and dorsal thalamic areas. In addition to the areas mentioned above, high concentrations of immunoreactive varicose fibers were seen in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb, external layer of the median eminence, central to paramedian parts of the interpeduncular nucleus and the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus. The globus pallidus, medial and central amygdaloid nuclei, dorsal raphe, dorsal parabrachial nucleus, locus coeruleus, vagal dorsal motor nucleus, solitary nucleus and some circumventricular organs, including the subfornical organ and organum vasculosum laminae terminalis, contained considerable numbers of immunoreactive varicose fibers. In dehydrated rats and homozygous Brattleboro rats, the pattern of alpha-atrial natriuretic polypeptide-immunoreactive neurons and varicose fibers was qualitatively similar to that seen in normal conditioned rats. This study gives an atlas of the distribution of the alpha-atrial natriuretic polypeptide-containing neuronal system in the rat brain and provides the groundwork for studying the influence of this new peptide on various brain functions.     

Substance P-like immunoreactivity in the brain of the gymnotiform fish Apteronotus leptorhynchus: presence of sex differences.

The distribution of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPli) was charted in the brain of the gymnotiform fish Apteronotus leptorhynchus, and correlated with the circuitry underlying intraspecific electrocommunication. Cell bodies were found predominantly in the lateral hypothalamus and in certain paraventricular organs: nucleus preopticus periventricularis, anterior subdivision; anterior hypothalamus; nucleus posterioris periventricularis; nucleus recessus lateralis, medial subdivision 2; nucleus recessus posterioris and nucleus recessus lateralis, lateral subdivision. Cell bodies were also found in the rostral olfactory nucleus, ventral telencephalon (ventral and central subdivisions), the habenula, the vagal sensory and motor nuclei and in the subtrigeminal nucleus. The distribution of SPli fibers was similar in some respects to that reported for other vertebrates. SPli was found in the rhombencephalon associated with vagal afferent fibers and in the funicular nucleus (possibly related to nociception). In the diencephalon and midbrain SPli fibers were found in the habenular-interpeduncular tract, in the hypothalamus and pituitary. SPli fibers were also found in preoptic and forebrain areas. The most striking result was the sexually dimorphic SPli innervation of certain hypothalamic and septal nuclei, and of the prepacemaker nucleus (PPn), a diencephalic cell group which controls communication ('chirping') in gymnotiforms. The PPn and septal/hypothalamic nuclei were densely innervated by SPli in males but devoid of SPli in females.     

Immunocytochemical localization of corticotropin-releasing factor in the brain of the turtle,Mauremys caspica

Brain sections of the turtle, Mauremys caspica were studied by means of an antiserum against rat corticotropin-releasing factor. Immunoreactive neurons were identified in telencephalic, diencephalic and mesencephalic areas such as the cortex, nucleus caudatus, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, subfornical organ, paraventricular nucleus, hypothalamic dorsolateral aggregation, nucleus of the paraventricular organ, infundibular nucleus, pretectal nucleus, periventricular grey, reticular formation and nucleus of the raphe. Many immunoreactive cells located near the ependyma were bipolar, having an apical dendrite that contacted the cerebrospinal fluid. Immunoreactive fibers were seen in these locations and in the lamina terminalis, lateral forebrain bundle, supraoptic nucleus, median eminence, neurohypophysis, tectum opticum, torus semicircularis and deep mesencephalic nucleus. Parvocellular bipolar immunoreactive neurons from the paraventricular and infundibular nuclei projected axons that joined the hypothalamo-hypophysial tract and reached the outer zone of median eminence, and the neural lobe of the hypophysis where immunoreactive fibers terminated close to intermediate lobe cells. From these results it can be concluded that, as in other vertebrates, corticotropin-releasing factor in the turtle may act as a releasing factor and, centrally, as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator.     

Histamine-immunoreactive neurons in the brain of the teleost Gasterosteus aculeatus L. Correlation with hypothalamic tyrosine hydroxylase- and serotonin-immunoreactive neurons

The distribution of putative histaminergic neurons in the brain of a teleost, the three-spined stickleback, was investigated by means of immunocytochemistry using specific antibodies against histamine (HA), and conventional microscopy as well as confocal laser scanning microscopy. Histamine-immunoreactive (HAir) neurons form discrete populations ventral to the nucleus of the posterior recess (NRP) and in the nucleus saccus vasculosus (NSV), which belong to the periventricular hypothalamic nuclei. The neuronal somata are subependymally located, and do not possess apical neurites contacting the cerebrospinal fluid. They give rise to both long-range and local axonal projections. The local projections give rise to a field of dense punctate immunoreaction dorsal to the NRP and lateral to the NSV. Long-range projections are comprised of ascending projections to the thalamus, habenula, preoptic area and dorsal telencephalon; and descending projections via the posterior tuberal nucleus, ventrally to the nucleus interpeduncularis, and dorsally into the central gray. HAir neurons occur together with serotoninergic cerebrospinal fluid-contacting (CSFc) neurons in the NRP, and with tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (THir) neurons in the NSV. Although HAir elements occur together with THir ones in many brain areas, direct contacts between the two neurotransmitter systems are rare. The putative histaminergic neurons in the brain of the three-spined stickleback constitute a very discrete neuronal system, with a major projection area in the dorsal telencephalon in a region which is considered homologous with the dorsal pallium of land vertebrates.     

Distribution of apelin-synthesizing neurons in the adult rat brain

The peptide apelin originating from a larger precursor preproapelin molecule has been recently isolated and identified as the endogenous ligand of the human orphan G protein-coupled receptor, APJ (putative receptor protein related to the angiotensin receptor AT(1)). We have shown recently that apelin and apelin receptor mRNA are expressed in brain and that the centrally injected apelin fragment K17F (Lys(1)-Phe-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Pro-Arg-Leu-Ser-His-Lys-Gly-Pro-Met-Pro-Phe(17)) decreased vasopressin release and altered drinking behavior. Using a specific polyclonal antiserum against K17F for immunohistochemistry, the aim of the present study was to establish the precise topographical distribution of apelin immunoreactivity in colchicine-treated adult rat brain. Immunoreactivity was essentially detected in neuronal cell bodies and fibers throughout the entire neuroaxis in different densities. Cells bodies have been visualized in the preoptic region, the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and in the highest density, in the arcuate nucleus. Apelin immunoreactive cell bodies were also seen in the pons and the medulla oblongata. Apelin nerve fibers appear more widely distributed than neuronal apelin cell bodies. The hypothalamus represented, by far, the major site of apelin-positive nerve fibers which were found in the suprachiasmatic, periventricular, dorsomedial, ventromedial nuclei and in the retrochiasmatic area, with the highest density in the internal layer of the median eminence. Fibers were also found innervating other circumventricular organs such as the vascular organ of the lamina terminalis, the subfornical and the subcommissural organs and the area postrema. Apelin was also detected in the septum and the amygdala and in high density in the paraventricular thalamic nucleus, the periaqueductal central gray matter and dorsal raphe nucleus, the parabrachial and Barrington nuclei in the pons and in the nucleus of the solitary tract, lateral reticular, prepositus hypoglossal and spinal trigeminal nuclei.The topographical distribution of apelinergic neurons in the brain suggests multiple roles for apelin especially in the central control of ingestive behaviors, pituitary hormone release and circadian rhythms.     

Distribution of serotonin in the brain stem and spinal cord of the lizard Varanus exanthematicus: an immunohistochemical study

The distribution of serotonin-containing nerve cell bodies, fibers and terminals in the lizard Varanus exanthematicus was studied with the indirect immunofluorescence technique, using antibodies to serotonin. Most of the serotonin-containing cell bodies were found in the midline, in both of the raphe nuclei, i.e. the nuclei raphes superior and inferior. A considerable number of more laterally shifted serotonergic neurons was found particularly at three levels of the brain stem, viz. in the caudal mesencephalic tegmentum, at the isthmic level, and over a long distance in the medulla oblongata. These laterally situated serotonin-positive neurons were partly found within the confines of the substantia nigra, the nucleus reticularis superior and the lateral part of the nucleus reticularis medius and ventrolateral part of the nucleus reticularis inferior, respectively. No serotonergic cell bodies were found in the spinal cord. In the brain stem a dense serotonergic innervation was observed in all of the motor nuclei of the cranial nerves, in two layers of the tectum mesencephali, in the nucleus interpeduncularis pars ventralis, the nucleus profundus mesencephali pars rostralis, the periventricular grey, the nucleus parabrachialis, the vestibular nuclear complex, the nucleus descendens nervi trigemini, the nucleus raphes inferior, and parts of the nucleus tractus solitarii. Descending serotonergic pathways could be traced into the spinal cord via the dorsolateral, ventral and ventromedial funiculi, and were found to innervate mainly three parts of the spinal grey throughout the spinal cord, i.e. the dorsal part of the dorsal horn, the motoneuron area in the ventral horn, and the intermediate zone just lateral to the central canal. The results obtained in the present study suggest a close resemblance of the organization of the serotonergic system in reptiles and mammals, especially as to the serotonergic innervation of the spinal cord.     

Immunoreactive adrenocorticotropin in rat brain: A neuroanatomical study using antiserum generated against synthetic ACTH1–39

In this study an antiserum generated against synthetic ACTH^1–39 is used to provide a neuroanatomical map of ACTH-immunoreactivity in rat brain. Groups of ACTH-immunoreactive cell bodies were located in the basal hypothalamus, extending from the retrochiasmatic region to the mammillary nuclei. The fiber distribution indicates a broad innervation of structures in the hypothalamus, which include the medial preoptic region; bed nucleus of the anterior commissure and stria terminalis; perifornical region; periventricular stratum; and paraventricular, dorsomedial, arcuate, and mammillary nuclei. Fibers from the hypothalamus reach the amygdaloid nuclei directly in two separate bundles. A large dorsal ACTH-immunoreactive bundle emerges from the anterior hypothalamic region, distributes to the periventricular thalamic nuclei, and continues more posteriorly to the midbrain periaquaductal gray. It is speculated that the cell bodies in the ventral tuberal region of the hypothalamus are responsible for the vast innervation of fibers to the forebrain, diencephalon, and brainstem.     

Multiple connections of medial hypothalamic neurons in the rat

Summary The responses of 700 single neurons in the hypothalamus to electrical stimulation of the preoptic area, limbic structures, and midbrain were studied to determine the location of neurons with multiple inputs and to identify by antidromic activation the projection areas of those neurons.Converging excitatory inputs, observed in 134 responsive hypothalamic neurons, were principally derived from the preoptic, limbic, and midbrain areas. Inputs from separate nuclei of the amygdala were noted in the response of individual hypothalamic neurons. Two classes of short latency transsynaptic responses to amygdala stimulation were defined, indicating either separate pathways from the amygdala to the medial hypothalamus or two types of fibers conducting at different velocities. Stimulation of single or multiple sites in the preoptic and limbic areas, as well as in the arcuate nucleus and medial forebrain bundle produced inhibition of hypothalamic neuronal activity.Most antidromically identified medial hypothalamic neurons projected to the preoptic area, median eminence (tuberoinfundibular neurons), or midbrain. Evidence is presented for collateral projections of tuberoinfundibular neurons to the preoptic area and reticular formation. Medial hypothalamic neurons received inputs from the preoptic area, lateral septal nucleus, amygdala, ventral hippocampus (subiculum), and fornix. These findings illustrate a pattern of reciprocal connections between the medial hypothalamus and limbic and midbrain structures.It was concluded that the hypothalamus contains a type of neuron that is equipped to perform complex integrations and to coordinate directly the behavior of neurons in a diversity of anatomical regions.Abbreviations ABL basolateral nucleus of the amygdala - ACO cotical nucleus of the amygdala - AHA anterior area of the hypothalamus - ARH arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus - DMH dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus - FX fornix - HPC ventral hippocampus (subiculum) - LS lateral septal nucleus - ME median eminence - MH medial hypothalamus - MFB medial forebrain bundle - MP posterior mamillary nucleus - PH posterior nucleus of the hypothalamus - PMD dorsal premamillary nucleus - PMV ventral premamillary nucleus - POA preoptic area - PVG periventricular gray - PVH paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus - RF reticular formation of the mesencephalon - RT reticular nucleus of the thalamus - SUM supramamillary nucleus - VMH ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus Performed with financial support from the National Institutes of Health (Grants NS 09688 and RR 00165)     

Localization of cells retaining 3H-estradiol in the forebrain of rabbits

Ovariectomized rabbits received ³H-estradiol via an ear vein and were killed one hour later. Autoradiograms were prepared and exposed up to six months. Labeled cells, as indicated by many silver grains over the nucleus of a neuron, were found in many nuclei of the brain. Thus, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis had labeled cell bodies. The stria terminalis leads into the medial preoptic area where great numbers of cells concentrated the estrogen. Farther into the hypothalamus the labeled cells were numerous in the ventromedial and arcuate nuclei. Other locations with labeled cells were the lateral septal nucleus and nucleus accumbens septi, the periventricular preoptic nucleus, anterior hypothalamic nucleus, nucleus supraopticus diffusus, posterior hypothalamic nucleus, and premammillary nucleus. The labeled cells could be followed into the central gray surrounding the aqueduct of Sylvius. The amygdaloid nuclei, and in particular the medial amygdaloid nucleus, had labeled cells as did the most ventral posterior part of the hippocampal cortex. The results are discussed in comparison with those in the rat, and with reference to physiologic data.