Increase of urocortin-like immunoreactivity in the rat supraoptic nucleus after dehydration but not food deprivation.
The effects of dehydration and food deprivation on urocortin-like immunoreactivity (Ucn-IR) in the rat supraoptic nucleus (SON) and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were examined by immunohistochemistry. Water deprivation for 48 h caused a significant increase in the number of Ucn-IR neurons in the SON, compared with control. Ucn-IR fibers and varicosities in the SON and the internal zone of the median eminence (ME) were increased, but a few and faint Ucn-IR neurons and fibers were observed in the PVN. On the other hand, food deprivation for 48 h caused a significant decrease in the number of Ucn-IR neurons in the SON, compared with control. Ucn-IR fibers and varicosities in the SON and the ME were fewer than those in controls. Ucn-IR neurons and fibers in the PVN were not detected after food deprivation. These results suggest that Ucn in the SON may be involved in the central regulation of water balance and nutrient homeostasis.
Hara
Y
Y
Department of Foods and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Human Life Sciences, Notre Dame Seishin University, Okayama, Japan.
Ueta
Y
Y
Isse
T
T
Kabashima
N
N
Shibuya
I
I
Hattori
Y
Y
Yamashita
H
H
D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D003681:Dehydration / Q000378:metabolism*; D005508:Food Deprivation / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008473:Median Eminence / Q000378:metabolism; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010286:Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D054832:Urocortins
D054832:Urocortins; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone