title: Distribution of atrial natriuretic factor-like immunoreactivity in the brain of the frog Rana ridibunda.
abstract: The localization of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-like immunoreactivity in the central nervous system of the frog Rana ridibunda was examined by the indirect immunofluorescence technique, using an antiserum against synthetic ANF (Arg101-Tyr126). Immunoreactive cell bodies were principally found in the dorsal and medial pallium, the medial septal nucleus, the ventrolateral and anteroventral areas of the thalamus, the lateral forebrain bundle, the posterolateral thalamic nuclei, the preoptic nucleus, the dorsal infundibular nucleus, and the anteroventral tegmentum nucleus of the mesencephalon. Numerous cell bodies and a very dense fiber bundle were visualized in the interpeduncular nucleus. All the areas mentioned above contained a high density of immunoreactive fibers. In addition, the amygdala, the infundibular nucleus, the median eminence, and most of the areas of the mesencephalon contained a moderate number of ANF-positive nerve processes. In the frog pituitary, fibers and nerve terminals were found in the peripheral zone of the neural lobe. The intermediate and anterior lobes of the frog pituitary were totally devoid of ANF immunoreactivity. These results indicate that ANF-like material is widely distributed in the frog brain and that ANF may be involved in various brain functions including neuroendocrine regulations.
authors.affiliation: Groupe de recherche en endocrinologie moléculaire, UA CNRS 650, Unité Alliée à l'INSERM, Université de Rouen, Mont-Saint Aignan, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Netchitaïlo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feuilloley
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lihrmann
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leboulenger
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gutkowska
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cantin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pelletier
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vaudry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D008297:Male; D011895:Rana ridibunda
chemical_list: D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor