Sex steroid modulation of neurokinin B gene expression in the arcuate nucleus of adult male rats.
Human menopause is associated with hypertrophy and increased gene expression of neurokinin (NKB) neurons in the infundibular (arcuate) nucleus of the hypothalamus. We have hypothesized that these changes are secondary to gonadal failure. In the present study, we determined that orchidectomy resulted in an increase in the mean profile area and the number of neurons expressing NKB mRNA in the rat arcuate nucleus. No changes were seen when orchidectomy was combined with testosterone or estradiol replacement. These findings support our hypothesis and demonstrate that gonadal steroids modulate NKB neurons in the arcuate nucleus of adult male rats.
Danzer
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SC
Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Pathology, and Neurology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
Price
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McMullen
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Rance
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D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019004:Galanin / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D015287:Neurokinin B / Q000235:genetics*; D009919:Orchiectomy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D004967:Estrogens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013739:Testosterone; D015287:Neurokinin B; D019004:Galanin