Different pathways of neurohormonal hypothalamic control of the adrenal cortex function in young and old rats.
The pathways of hypothalamic control of the adrenal cortex function were studied in the experiments on young and old male Wistar rats. Immunohistochemical, morphometric, densitometric and radioimmunoassay methods were used. It was shown that in young rats under stress vasopressin (VP) is released into the portal circulation and probably in this way stimulates ACTH and enhances secretion of corticosterone in the adrenal cortex. In old rats stress-reaction is delayed and less adequate compared to young animals. It seems likely that in old rats VP is secreted into the general circulation mainly via the posterior pituitary lobe (PP), exerting a direct influence on the adrenal cortex. The conclusion is made that in old rats regulation of the adrenal cortex function is realised via the pathway phylogenetically more ancient than in young animals.
Bazhanova
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ED
Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Thorez ave. , 44, 194223, St. Petersburg, Russia. bazhanova@margo.mail.iephb.ru
Chernigovskaya
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EV
Danilova
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OA
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002466:Cell Nucleolus; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008473:Median Eminence / Q000378:metabolism; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000166:cytology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000378:metabolism*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000378:metabolism*
D014667:Vasopressins; D010121:Oxytocin; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003345:Corticosterone