Involvement of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus.
The alpha 1-adrenergic receptor ligand, 3H-WB4101, and the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor ligand, 3H-para-aminoclonidine, were utilized at a 1.0 nM incubation concentration to determine relative alpha 1-and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor binding by cell membranes from selected tissues within the brain, ovary and oviduct of the domestic fowl. Significant specific alpha 1-adrenergic binding was observed in the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, pineal, cerebrum and cerebellum but only the cerebrum had significant alpha 2-receptor binding. Significant levels of alpha 1-adrenergic binding were observed in the granulosa cells of the three largest ovarian follicles and in the postovulatory follicle. Significant specific alpha 2-adrenergic binding was measured in the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus and shell gland of the oviduct. The physiological implications of alpha-adrenergic receptors in these tissues are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D010057:Oviducts / Q000378:metabolism; D011200:Poultry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha