Sex-specific response of the vasopressin-reacting neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of the rat hypothalamus following chronic administration of met-enkephalin.
Using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical technique, a morphometric study of the magnocellular neurons of the Paraventricular nucleus of the rat hypothalamus, reactive to specific anti-vasopressin rabbit serum, was made. Following systemic and chronic administration of met-enkephalin the number of immunoreactive neurons was higher, especially in females. Additionally, in the females, it was possible to observe an increase in the immunoreactivity and the presence of well-stained fibres. These findings suggest, especially in females, a blockage in the release of vasopressin, facilitating its immunocytochemical visualization.
Sánchez
F
F
Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Spain.
González
R
R
Carretero
J
J
Rubio
M
M
Riesco
J M
JM
Blanco
E
E
Juanes
J A
JA
Vázquez
R
R
D000818:Animals; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D010286:Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000502:physiology*
D014667:Vasopressins; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine