Chronic fasting-induced changes of neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity in the lateral septum of intact and ovariectomized female rats.
The effect of 40% food deprivation for 1 week on the immunohistochemically detectable amount of neuropeptide Y (NPY) was studied in the lateral septum (LS) of intact and ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Animals were either fed ad libitum or 40% food-deprived. Densitometric analysis of immunostained material showed a significant decrease in NPY-immunoreactivity (NPY-IR) in OVX rats compared to the control group. Food deprivation increased the density of punctate NPY-IR profiles in both intact and OVX animals, however, the density in food-deprived OVX animals was increased compared to baseline but remained reduced compared to intact rats. Our study indicates that the lack of gonadal hormones - most likely estrogen - results in a decrease in the density of NPY-IR axonal fibers within the LS, while food deprivation induced considerable elevation in NPY density. Food restriction-induced changes in the density of NPY-containing neural elements suggest that the LS may play a crucial role in the regulation of food intake and energy balance, in concert with the relevant hypothalamic areas.
Kovács
Eva G
EG
Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary. kovacsevag@gmx.net
Szalay
Ferenc
F
Rácz
Bence
B
Halasy
Katalin
K
D000818:Animals; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron / Q000379:methods; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000378:metabolism*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020665:Septum of Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D009478:Neuropeptide Y