Immunohistochemical evidence for synaptic connections between pro-opiomelanocortin-immunoreactive axons and LH-RH neurons in the preoptic area of the rat |
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Authors: | C Leranth N J MacLusky M Shanabrough F Naftolin |
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Institution: | Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510. |
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Abstract: | Connections between adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-immunoreactive neurons in the arcuate nucleus and the preoptic area were studied in the female rat. ACTH-immunopositive terminals were observed in the medial preoptic area in contact with dendritic shafts, while in the ventrolateral preoptic area the majority of ACTH-immunoreactive synapses were found on dendritic spines. Double-label electron microscopic immunocytochemistry using peroxidase and avidin-ferritin as contrasting electron-dense markers revealed numerous synaptic contacts between ACTH-immunopositive boutons and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH)-immunoreactive dendritic shafts in the medial preoptic area. Following injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the medial preoptic area, retrogradely HRP-labeled perikarya were observed throughout the arcuate nucleus. Double-staining experiments revealed that a proportion of these retrogradely labeled cells, in the ventromedial arcuate nucleus, are also immunoreactive for ACTH. These results suggest that pro-opiomelanocortin peptide-producing neurons in the ventromedial arcuate nucleus project to the medial preoptic area. Some of these neurons establish direct synaptic contacts with LH-RH-immunoreactive cells. |
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Keywords: | Adrenocorticotropic hormone Arcuate nucleus Gonadotropin release Electron microscopy |
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