title: Role of calcium in the expression of ACTH-induced stretching, yawning and penile erection.
abstract: The effect of omega-conotoxin GVIA, a potent and selective inhibitor of N-type calcium channels and of the organic calcium channel inhibitors nimodipine, verapamil and flunarizine, on stretching, yawning and penile erection induced by ACTH 1-24 was studied in male rats. omega-Conotoxin (1-10 ng ICV 15 min before ACTH, 10 micrograms ICV), but not carboxymethylated omega-conotoxin, induced a dose-dependent prevention of all ACTH effects. In contrast, organic calcium channel inhibitors (20 mg/kg IP 30-60 min before ACTH) failed to modify ACTH-induced stretching and yawning but induced a 25% decrease in the number of penile erection episodes induced by the peptide, and prevented, like ICV omega-conotoxin, oxytocin- and apomorphine-induced yawning and penile erection. When injected in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, omega-conotoxin prevented the above behavioral responses induced by apomorphine and oxytocin but not by ACTH 1-24. The present results suggest that ACTH induces stretching, yawning and penile erection by mobilizing calcium through central omega-conotoxin-sensitive calcium channels in brain sites different from those sensitive to oxytocin and apomorphine.
authors.affiliation: B. B. Brodie Department of Neurosciences, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Argiolas
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Melis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stancampiano
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gessa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003366:Cosyntropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D015000:Yawning / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D003366:Cosyntropin; D002118:Calcium