Effects of ferrous ions on preoptic area neurones and luteinizing hormone secretion in the rat.
Ferrous ions (Fe2+) were applied by microiontophoresis of 29 neurones recordid from the forebrain of ten pro-oestrous rats. The spontaneous activity of 24 cells was reduced by Fe2+ and five units did not respond. No excitations were observed. Reproducible responses could not be obtained with ferric ions (Fe3+). Microinjection of 1 mul 200 mM-Fe2+ into the preoptic area of eight pro-oestrous rats produced a sharp increase in plasma LH levels. Similar treatment with saline was without effect. Rats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone during the early afternoon of pro-oestrus ovulated overnight when injected with both Fe2+ and Fe3+. The experiments do not confirm the widely held belief that raised plasma LH levels following deposition of iron in the rostral hypothalamus result from increased firing of nerve cells.
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects*; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008845:Microinjections; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D007501:Iron