title: Distribution of neuronal melanocortins in the spadefoot toad Spea multiplicata and effects of stress.
abstract: We examined the effects of an acute stressor on regional alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alphaMSH) content in the New Mexican spadefoot toad, Spea multiplicata. We first used immunocytochemistry along with radioimmunoassay (RIA) to examine the distribution of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the brain of Spea. Neurons immunoreactive for alphaMSH, beta-endorphin, and corticotropin were observed in the preoptic nucleus and ventral infundibulum of the hypothalamus. Ascending immunoreactive fibers projected to the olfactory nucleus, nucleus accumbens, and striatum. Numerous immunoreactive fibers were also observed in the hypothalamus. The thalamus/hypothalamus (T/HT) contained the greatest concentrations of alphaMSH as determined by RIA followed by the preoptic area (PO). Levels in the telencephalon, brain stem, and optic tectum (OT) were 14-23 times lower than in the T/HT. Exposure to a brief stressor elevated alphaMSH levels in the PO and OT. We conclude that Spea possesses two distinct POMC neuronal cell groups, one located in the anterior preoptic area and one located in the ventral infundibulum. Ascending projections to the basal ganglia might play an indirect role in tectal regulation and the control of prey-catching behavior. Exposure to an acute stressor alters brain alphaMSH content in Spea, although there are regional and temporal differences in the response pattern compared to Bufo. These findings are consistent with the notion that neuronal melanocortins influence how frogs and toads gather information about their environment during stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Tex 79409-3131, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venkatesan
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones