Endorphinic neurons are contacting the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons in the rat brain.
The anatomical relationships between endorphinic neurons and dopaminergic neurons were evaluated in the rat hypothalamus using a combination of immunocytochemistry and autoradiography. In the arcuate nucleus, endorphinic endings were seen making contacts with dopaminergic cell bodies and dendrites. No synapsis could be observed at the sites of contacts. These results strongly suggest that the endorphinic neurons are directly acting on dopaminergic neurons to modify the release of dopamine into the pituitary portal system.
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002450:Cell Communication; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014316:Tritium
D004723:Endorphins; D014316:Tritium; D004298:Dopamine