First and second order maternal behavior related afferents of the lateral habenula.
We demonstrated previously that the lateral habenula (Lhb) mediates maternal behavior. Our present goal was to identify the first and second order afferent connections of the Lhb, particularly those relevant for maternal behavior. Using pseudorabies virus (PRV) as a retrograde transneuronal tracer and the retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold, we identified first order Lhb afferent projections from the lateral preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area, each important for the display of maternal behavior. Maternally relevant second order neurons originated from the medial preoptic area and amygdala. Additional regions with first and second order neurons afferent to the Lhb were also identified.
Felton
T M
TM
Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Busch Campus, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, Piscataway 08855, USA.
Linton
L
L
Rosenblatt
J S
JS
Morell
J I
JI
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D019262:Habenula / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D011558:Herpesvirus 1, Suid; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013266:Stilbamidines
C049774:2-hydroxy-4,4'-diamidinostilbene, methanesulfonate salt; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D013266:Stilbamidines