title: Neural inputs from the uterus to the paraventricular magnocellular neurons in the rat.
abstract: Extracellular action potentials were recorded from antidromically identified, tonically firing cells in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of ovariectomized, estrogen-treated female rats under urethane anesthesia. Genital or somatic sensory stimuli, or electrical stimulation of the nerves innervating the pelvis were applied. Uterine horn or vaginal distension each excited 33% of the neurons tested. Probing of the cervix had no effect. Hindpaw pinch produced excitation in 39% and inhibition in 11% of the neurons tested. Non-noxious somatic stimuli had no effect. Stimulation of the uterine afferent nerves, the hypogastric and pelvic nerves, excited 55% and 30% of the neurons tested, respectively. Stimulation of a somatic nerve of the hindleg, the sciatic nerve, activated 80% of the neurons tested. These results indicate that specific sensory afferents arrive at the PVN from the uterus; in addition, somatic afferents converge in this hypothalamic nucleus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akaishi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakuma
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D007001:Hypogastric Plexus / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000502:physiology; D010286:Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013153:Splanchnic Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D014599:Uterus / Q000294:innervation*