Activation of oxytocin-containing neurons of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) following generalized seizures.
Due to the complex nature of generalized limbic seizures, marked disturbances in physiological homeostasis occur. Accompanying the motor manifestations which characteristically are associated with generalized limbic seizures, alterations in neuroendocrine, behavioral, and autonomic functions may be observed. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus is known to play a significant role in such neuronal responses to stressful stimuli; however, the effect of seizures on hypothalamic neurons is unknown. We have used the immunocytochemical detection of the Fos protein to anatomically identify neurons in the PVN which are activated following generalized limbic seizures. To induce seizures, rats received intraperitoneal injections of kainic acid or were kindled from the entorhinal cortex. We have demonstrated that elicitation of generalized limbic seizures induces a dramatic number of neurons in the PVN to express the Fos protein. Numerous Fos-immunolabeled neurons were identified in both the parvicellular and magnocellular component of the PVN. In the latter, this study clearly reveals a preferential and selective activation of oxytocin-containing neurons, and it extends and supports the hypothesis that oxytocin plays a role in the body's response to specific stress paradigms. Data suggest that an activation of the oxytocin neuronal system may be part of the adaptive mechanism that enables the hypothalamus to modulate and maintain an adequate response to stressors (e.g., generalized seizures) to regain homeostasis.
Piekut
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DT
Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Rochester School of Medicine, New York 14642, USA.
Pretel
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S
Applegate
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CD
D000818:Animals; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000032:analysis*; D010286:Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012640:Seizures / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D010121:Oxytocin