Evidence for an age-dependent decrease in the immunoreactive prolactin-containing terminals of the median eminence of male rats.
Labelling patterns of immunoreactive prolactin (IR-PRL)-containing and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-containing nerve terminals of the median eminence (ME) were compared in young adult (aged 3 months) and old (aged 24 months) male Wistar rats. In the young rats, IR-PRL- and TH-immunostained fibres extended throughout the external most layer of the ME. In the old rats, a significant decrease in the intensity of labelling of IR-PRL terminals was observed in this layer, with a slight reduction in the extent of labelling. As far as TH terminals were concerned, no difference could be detected between young and old animals.
Siaud
P
P
Endocrinological Neurobiology Laboratory, URA 1197 CNRS, University of Montpellier II, France.
Barbanel
G
G
Givalois
L
L
Reymond
M J
MJ
Balmefrézol
M
M
Assenmacher
I
I
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008473:Median Eminence / Q000378:metabolism*; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000378:metabolism; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
D011388:Prolactin; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase