Synaptic connections between substance P-containing axons and estrogen receptor-synthesizing neurons in the medial preoptic area of the rat brain.
Dual-label immunocytochemical procedures were employed to provide ultrastructural evidence for the presence of substance P (SP) in afferents to estrogen-receptive neurons in the medial preoptic area (MPO) of the female rat. SP-immunoreactive axon terminals were observed to innervate the periventricular (PvPO) and medial (MPN) preoptic nuclei of the MPO densely, and to form synaptic connections at these sites with neurons which contain estrogen receptors in their nucleus. These results indicate that estrogen-receptive preoptic neurons may be regulated by SP-containing neuronal pathways via synaptic mechanisms.
Kalló
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Department of Anatomy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University, Kossuth Lajos sgt. 40, H-6724 Szeged, Hungary. kallo@anat-fm.szote.u-szeged.hu
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Liposits
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D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013373:Substance P