Differential expression of vasopressin receptor binding in the hypothalamus during lactation in golden hamsters.
Vasopressin (AVP) receptor binding within hypothalamic sites was compared between cycling and lactating female golden hamsters. The density of AVP receptor binding was analyzed by quantitative autoradiography within the ventrolateral hypothalamus and dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus. Lactation was correlated with a disappearance of AVP receptor binding within the ventrolateral hypothalamus. In contrast, lactation was associated with a two- to three-fold increase in the density of AVP receptor binding within the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus. These results suggest that AVP receptor binding within the ventrolateral hypothalamus is responsive to gonadal hormones in female golden hamsters. However, the increase in binding observed within the dorsomedial hypothalamus may be related to other neurobiological changes associated with lactation.
Psychiatry Department, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655, USA.
Y
Y
Delville
L S
LS
Conklin
C F
CF
Ferris
D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004302:Dorsomedial Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D004971:Estrus / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014697:Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*
D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin