Synchronized network oscillations in rat tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurons: switch to tonic discharge by thyrotropin-releasing hormone.
The pituitary hormone, prolactin, triggers lactation in nursing mothers. Under nonlactating conditions, prolactin secretion is suppressed by powerful inhibition from hypothalamic tuberoinfundibular dopamine (TIDA) neurons. Although firing pattern has been suggested as integral to neuroendocrine control, the electrical behavior of TIDA cells remains unknown. We demonstrate that rat TIDA neurons discharge rhythmically in a robust 0.05 Hz oscillation. The oscillation is phase locked between neurons, and while it persists during chemical synaptic transmission blockade, it is abolished by gap junction antagonists. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) potently stimulates prolactin release, an effect assumed to take place in the pituitary. In TIDA cells, TRH caused a transition from phasic to tonic firing through combined pre- and postsynaptic effects. These findings suggest a model for prolactin regulation where a TIDA network switch from oscillations to sustained discharge converts dopamine from an antagonist at high concentrations to a functional agonist as dopamine output from the network decreases.
Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. david.lyons@ki.se
David J
DJ
Lyons
Emilia
E
Horjales-Araujo
Christian
C
Broberger
D000818:Animals; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology*
D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004298:Dopamine