Differential projections of two immunoreactive alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) neuronal systems in the rat brain.
Immunocytochemical localization of alpha-MSH was performed in the brain of rats of which the arcuate nucleus has been destroyed by treatment with monosodium glutamate in the neonatal period. In these animals, alpha-MSH cell bodies normally found in the arcuate nucleus were almost completely absent. The reactive fibers found in the ACTH-beta-LPH pathway were also markedly decreased. On the other hand, alpha-MSH cell bodies located in the dorsolateral hypothalamus as well as fibers located outside the ACTH-beta-LPH pathway were not decreased. These results strongly suggest that alpha-MSH cell bodies in dorsolateral hypothalamus have projections completely different from those located in the arcuate nucleus.
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D005260:Female; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D009474:Neurons / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D012970:Sodium Glutamate / Q000494:pharmacology
D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D012970:Sodium Glutamate