Beta-endorphin concentrations in serum, hypothalamus and central gray of hypophysectomized and mediobasal hypothalamus lesioned rats.
The serum and brain concentrations of beta-endorphin immunoreactivity have been studied in intact, mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) lesioned and hypophysectomized male rats. After hypophysectomy there is a major reduction (90%) of beta-endorphin concentration in the serum but only a partial reduction (20%) in the mediobasal hypothalamus. However, MBH lesions enhance beta-endorphin serum values in previously hypophysectomized rats. Long-term MBH lesions alone lead to an almost complete disappearance of beta-endorphin in the central gray matter with a slight decrease in the serum. These data clearly show that: (1) the pituitary is the major source of beta-endorphin in the serum; (2) the hypothalamus is the major source of beta-endorphin in the central gray matter; and (3) there is clear influence of the pituitary on hypothalamic beta-endorphin.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002369:Castration; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin