Noradrenergic modulation of hypothalamic progestin receptors in female guinea pigs is specific to the ventromedial nucleus.
The concentration of estrogen-induced cytosolic progestin receptors (CPRs) in the hypothalamus of alpha 1-noradrenergic antagonist-treated female guinea pigs is reduced relative to non-drug-treated controls. The present study determined where within the hypothalamus this reduction occurs. Ovariectomized, estradiol-treated guinea pigs were given either the alpha 1-noradrenergic antagonist prazosin or vehicle. Microdissected brain regions were assayed for CPR levels. Prazosin caused a selective relative decrease in CPR levels of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. No significant effects of prazosin were seen in other hypothalamic or preoptic area nuclei.
D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011224:Prazosin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D014697:Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*
D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D009638:Norepinephrine; D011224:Prazosin