title: Autoradiographic localization of binding sites for 2-[125I]iodomelatonin in the pars tuberalis of the western spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius latifrons).
abstract: Pineal melatonin secretion mediates photoperiodic regulation of implantation of blastocysts in the female western spotted skunk. Autoradiography studies demonstrated that high affinity 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites are present in the pars tuberalis but not in any other hypophyseal region or in the hypothalamus or thalamus of this species. This restricted localization of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding, which was characteristic of spotted skunks sacrificed at various times during their annual reproductive cycles, suggests that the pars tuberalis mediates photoperiodic responses in this species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia 65212.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mead
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007700:Kinetics; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012889:Mephitidae / Q000502:physiology*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010507:Periodicity; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000378:metabolism*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D008550:Melatonin