title: The descending alpha-MSHergic (alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-ergic) projections from the zona incerta and lateral hypothalamic area to the inferior colliculus and spinal cord in the rat.
abstract: Neuronal pathways containing alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) extending from the zona incerta and lateral hypothalamic area to the inferior colliculus and spinal cord were analyzed using both immunohistochemical localization and a retrograde tracer. Biotinized horseradish peroxidase injected into the inferior colliculus or the thoracic cord of the rat labeled a number of neurons in the zona incerta and lateral hypothalamic area. Simultaneous immunostaining of the same sections with alpha-MSH antiserum showed that some of these neurons are alpha-MSHergic.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004027:Diencephalon / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007026:Hypothalamic Area, Lateral / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D007245:Inferior Colliculi / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones