PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J K McDonald

Publications and source records attributed to J K McDonald.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Neuropeptide Y is a neuromodulator of pulsatile luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone release in the gonadectomized rhesus monkey.

In a previous study, we have demonstrated that infusion of neuropeptide Y (NPY) into the stalk-median eminence (S-ME) of gonadectomized rhesus monkeys stimulated LHRH in a dose-dependent manner. This finding led us to address the following questions: 1) What are the characteristics of NPY release in vivo? 2) How does NPY release relate to LHRH release? 3) Is endogenous NPY essential to pulsatile LHRH release? To answer these questions, three experiments using push-pull perfusion were performed in adult gonadectomized rhesus monkeys. Perfusate samples from the S-ME were collected at 10-min intervals for 6 to 12-h periods, and the concentrations of LHRH and NPY in perfusates were determined by RIA. In Exp I, the release pattern of NPY and LHRH in the S-ME was independently determined in a group of 11 conscious monkeys: NPY release in the S-ME was pulsatile with an interpulse interval of 44.9 +/- 3.3 min (n = 11). This interpulse interval was similar to that seen for LHRH release (43.8 +/- 1.1 min, n = 7). Exp II was designed to determine whether NPY pulses and LHRH pulses occur synchronously and to examine whether NPY release in the S-ME is correlated with circulating LH pulses. NPY and LHRH concentrations in aliquots of the same perfusate sample from the S-ME and circulating LH levels were concurrently measured in 8 monkeys sedated with Saffan. It was found that NPY pulses were temporally correlated (P less than 0.001) with LHRH pulses, which were also temporally correlated (P less than 0.001) with LH pulses. Moreover, NPY pulses were correlated (P less than 0.05) with LH pulses. NPY peaks preceded LHRH peaks by 4.5 +/- 0.6 min, LHRH peaks preceded LH peaks by 5.5 +/- 0.6 min, and NPY peaks preceded LH peaks by 9.7 +/- 0.8 min. In Exp III, the role of endogenous NPY in LHRH release was evaluated by infusing a specific antiserum to NPY into the S-ME during push-pull perfusion in 8 conscious monkeys. Infusion of a specific antiserum to NPY into the S-ME at 1:100 and 1:1000 dilutions suppressed pulsatile LHRH release significantly (P less than 0.05). Infusion of nonimmune serum as a control was without effect. These results are summarized as follows: 1) NPY release in the S-ME is pulsatile, 2) NPY pulses occur synchronously with LHRH and LH pulses, and 3) immunoneutralization of endogenous NPY in the S-ME suppresses pulsatile LHRH release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Neuropeptide Y potentiates luteinizing hormone (LH)-releasing hormone-induced LH secretion only under conditions leading to preovulatory LH surges.

We recently demonstrated that neuropeptide Y (NPY) potentiates the ability of pulsatile LHRH infusions to restore LH surges in pentobarbital (PB)-blocked, proestrous rats. In the present study we determined if specific endocrine conditions are necessary for the expression of these direct pituitary effects of NPY. Facilitatory actions of NPY were examined in the absence of gonadal feedback [ovariectomy (OVX)], in the presence of negative gonadal feedback (metestrus), after estrogen priming of the pituitary gland [OVX plus 30 micrograms estradiol benzoate (EB) 2 days before experiments], and after treatments which evoke preovulatory-like LH surges (OVX plus EB and 5 mg progesterone or P the morning of experiments). Rats received jugular catheter implants the day before experiments. On the day of experiments, hourly blood samples were taken from 1100-2100 h. At 1330 h, rats received injections of PB to block endogenous LHRH release, or saline. Every 30 min from 1400-1800 h, PB-treated rats received iv pulses of LHRH (15 ng/pulse) or saline, along with concurrent pulses of NPY (1 or 5 micrograms/pulse) or saline. Plasma samples were analyzed by LH RIA. In all cases, pulsatile administration of 15 ng LHRH resulted in plasma LH levels that were significantly elevated above saline-treated, PB-blocked controls. Only in the case of EB+P-treated rats did coadministration of 5 micrograms NPY along with LHRH significantly enhance LHRH-stimulated LH secretion (P < 0.001). NPY had no effect on LHRH-stimulated LH secretion in OVX, OVX + EB-treated, or metestrous rats. Pulsatile administration of either dose of NPY alone did not stimulate LH release in any of the four groups examined. These results demonstrate that the facilitatory effects of NPY on LHRH-stimulated LH secretion can be manifest only under the endocrine conditions required to produce full, preovulatory-like LH surges, i.e. after estrogen and P treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Localization of the lysosomal protease dipeptidyl peptidase II in the young normal rat lens: a correlative light and electron microscopic analysis.

This investigation was follow-up to an earlier biochemical and light microscopic histochemical study, in which the lysosomal protease dipeptidyl peptidase II (DPP II) was demonstrated in rodent lenses. In the present study, a method was employed that allowed a more precise histochemical localization of the enzyme, one that was suitable for ultrastructural as well as light microscopic analysis. Successful demonstration of the enzyme using either of two synthetic substrates, and the significant reduction of the enzyme reaction by phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF), a serine protease inhibitor, pointed to the sensitivity of the method. A flat-embedding technique allowed the correlative light and electron microscopic analysis of specific areas of the specimen. Examination of the epithelium and outer cortical regions of the lens revealed the compartmentalization of DPP II activity within lysosomal dense bodies that were concentrated primarily in the equatorial and sutural regions, and also an association of the reaction product with larger bodies that were confined to the sutural regions. The latter structures appeared to represent fiber cell fragments that were enwrapped with narrow extensions of the surrounding fiber cells. The location of enzyme activity within the sutural bodies and also within the intercellular spaces of the modified fiber cell extensions surrounding these bodies suggested that lysosomal proteases may play a role in the segregation and degradation of specific regions of normal lens fiber cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Neuronal influence on hormone release from anglerfish islet cells.

Pancreatic islets in anglerfish (AF) are macroscopic collections of nearly pure endocrine cells that are densely innervated. Immunohistochemical staining for neurotransmitter biosynthetic enzymes revealed noradrenergic and cholinergic innervation of AF islets. An in vitro preparation of perifused dispersed AF islet cells was developed to study nutrient and neural control of islet hormone secretion. Glucose stimulated insulin and somatostatin-14 (SS-14) secretion in a dose-dependent manner, and 16.7 mM glucose inhibited glucagon secretion. In 2 mM glucose, norepinephrine and isoproterenol stimulated glucagon and SS-14 release. Isoproterenol stimulated insulin secretion, and norepinephrine stimulated or inhibited insulin release, depending on the concentration. Clonidine potently inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion but stimulated glucagon release. Methacholine, a muscarinic cholinergic agonist, stimulated insulin, glucagon, and SS-14 release. The control of AF hormone release by neurotransmitter agonists in vitro was similar to that in higher vertebrate species. Therefore we used this tissue preparation to study postsynaptic interactions between glucose and neurotransmitters in islets.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Regulation of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone and neuropeptide Y concentrations by progesterone and corticosteroids in immature rats: correlation with luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone release.

In a previous study, we demonstrated that progesterone (P4) and the synthetic glucocorticoid triamcinolone acetonide (TA), but not cortisol, could induce LH and FSH release in estrogen-primed ovariectomized immature rats. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if the stimulatory effect of P4 and TA on LH and FSH release were associated with changes in GnRH or NPY concentrations in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) or preoptic area (POA). Ovariectomized immature rats primed with estradiol at 27 and 28 days received either vehicle, P4, TA or cortisol (1 mg/kg BW) at 9.00 h on day 29. Animals were killed at 9.30, 10.00, 12.00 and 13.00 h on day 29 for serum LH and FSH measurements, and the MBH and POA were dissected and analyzed for GnRH and NPY concentrations via RIAs. P4- and TA-treated animals showed significantly elevated serum LH and FSH levels from 13.00 h to 15.00 h. Cortisol was without effect. P4 significantly increased MBH GnRH and NPY concentrations at 12.00 h followed by a significant fall at 13.00 h. P4 modulated POA GnRH and NPY concentrations in a fashion similar to that seen in the MBH, except POA NPY concentrations did not fall at 13.00 h after the elevation at 12.00 h. TA had no significant effect on MBH GnRH and NPY levels at 12.00 h compared to the values at 9.30 h and 10.00 h but, as with P4, there was a significant fall in MBH GnRH and NPY levels at 13.00 h. TA had no significant effect on POA GnRH and NPY concentrations at any time point studied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1991

Neuropeptide Y potentiates luteinizing hormone (LH)-releasing hormone-stimulated LH surges in pentobarbital-blocked proestrous rats.

Recent evidence suggests that hypothalamic neurosecretion of neuropeptide Y (NPY) may be required for the preovulatory LH surge in female rats. Results of immunoneutralization and portal blood collection studies have suggested that NPY may serve to enhance the response of gonadotropes to the stimulatory action of LHRH. To directly test this hypothesis, the effects of NPY on LHRH-stimulated LH secretion were assessed in proestrous rats that were anesthetized with pentobarbital (PB) to block endogenous LHRH neurosecretion. Female rats were fitted with atrial catheters on diestrus. On proestrus, hourly blood samples were collected from 0900-2100 h. At 1330 h, rats received PB (40 mg/kg BW) or saline. Every 30 min from 1400-1800 h, PB-treated rats received iv pulses of LHRH (15, 150, or 1500 ng/pulse) or saline along with concurrent pulses of NPY (1 or 10 micrograms/pulse). Plasma samples were analyzed by LH RIA. In PB-treated rats receiving vehicle pulses only, LH surges were completely blocked. Pulsatile LHRH treatments at 15, 150, and 1500 ng/pulse produced subphysiological, physiological, and supraphysiological LH surges, respectively. Simultaneous administration of NPY pulses with 15 ng/pulse LHRH produced significant dose-related potentiations of LHRH-stimulated LH surges (P less than 0.0001). Administration of NPY pulses with 150 ng LHRH/pulse also significantly enhanced LHRH-induced LH surges (P less than 0.05). NPY RIA of plasma confirmed NPY increments after treatments. These results demonstrate that NPY administration can potentiate pituitary responsiveness to LHRH stimulation, and are consistent with the hypothesis that one function of NPY is to operate as a neurohormonal modulator at the level of the gonadotrope during generation of the preovulatory LH surge.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Role of neuropeptide Y in reproductive function.

NPY acts both at the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland to modulate reproductive hormone secretion. Within the hypothalamus, NPY stimulates LHRH secretion in the presence of physiological levels of estrogen and suppresses pulsatile LHRH release following ovariectomy. Intracerebroventricular injection of NPY antiserum blocks or delays the LH surge in steroid-primed ovariectomized rats, thereby adding support for a physiological role of NPY in the neuroendocrine events preceding ovulation. Blockade of alpha 2 adrenergic receptors decreases NPY-stimulated LH release in steroid-primed rats implying a potential noradrenergic mediation of NPY activity. Physiological levels of progesterone do not augment, and may actually suppress NPY-induced LHRH secretion in vitro from median eminences obtained from estrogen-primed ovariectomized rats. The physiological role of progesterone, if any, in modulating NPY effects on LHRH release remains to be determined. Little, if anything, is known about the NPY receptor in the median eminence or the intracellular mechanisms which transduce the NPY signal into activation of LHRH release in estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats although translocation of intracellular calcium is required. Equally puzzling is the mechanism of desensitization of the LHRH-releasing mechanisms of the median eminence of ovariectomized rats or the specific site of NPY suppression of pulsatile LHRH secretion. NPY is released into the hypothalamo-hypophysial portal circulation and this appears correlated with LHRH secretion before the LH surge. NPY affects LH and FSH release from anterior pituitary cells in vitro and enhances LHRH-induced LH secretion. Taken together, the studies described above suggest an important physiological role for NPY as a modulator of neuroendocrine activity which culminates in the preovulatory surge of LH.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Investigation of the effects of progesterone on neuropeptide Y-stimulated luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone secretion from the median eminence of ovariectomized and estrogen-treated rats.

We have investigated the hypothesis that administration of progesterone to estrogen-treated ovariectomized (OVX) rats enhances the stimulatory effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on the secretion of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) from median eminence (ME) fragments in vitro. Adult rats were bilaterally OVX and after 2-4 weeks various doses of estrogen were administered subcutaneously in Silastic capsules. Three days later animals were injected subcutaneously with progesterone (1, 2 or 19 mg) or oil vehicle. Three hours later animals were killed, trunk blood collected, and the ME dissected and rinsed in culture medium. Incubation medium was collected after 30 min (control) and synthetic porcine NPY (0.1-10 microM) was applied during the test period. LHRH released into the medium and plasma luteinizing hormone were measured with RIA. NPY significantly stimulated LHRH secretion from MEs obtained from estrogen-treated OVX rats injected with oil vehicle. This stimulation was directly dependent on the degree of estrogen replacement. Administration of physiological doses of progesterone had no effect on NPY-stimulated LHRH release at low physiological levels of estrogen replacement. However, injection of 1 or 2 mg of progesterone into animals receiving the high physiological dose of estrogen slightly, although not significantly, reduced NPY (10 microM)-stimulated LHRH secretion. Treatment with the pharmacological dose of progesterone (19 mg) significantly decreased the ability of NPY to stimulate LHRH release when compared to vehicle-injected controls or to animals receiving 1 mg of progesterone. These results do not support the hypothesis that progesterone enhances NPY-stimulated LHRH secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Involvement of nerve growth factor in female sexual development.

The ovary is innervated by noradrenergic and peptidergic fibers. Treatment of neonatal rats with antibodies to nerve growth factor (NGF Ab) resulted in failure of the sympathetic (noradrenergic and neuropeptide-Y) nerves to develop. Partial loss of sensory innervation, represented by calcitonin gene-related peptide fibers, was also observed. Follicular growth was stunted, and production of androgens and estradiol was reduced. The timing of first ovulation was delayed, estrous cyclicity was disrupted, and fertility was compromised. Plasma LH levels were elevated, and LH pulsatility was enhanced, suggesting primary ovarian failure. A normal appearance of tyrosine hydroxylase-, LHRH-, and neuropeptide-Y-immunoreactive neurons in the hypothalamus, as determined by immunocytochemistry, suggested that neonatal immunosympathectomy did not directly affect hypothalamic reproductive function. In vitro release of LHRH from median eminence nerve terminals in response to prostaglandin E2 was, however, reduced in NGF Ab-treated rats. Normalization of the response by prior in vivo exposure of the animals to physiological estradiol levels, suggested that the diminished LHRH output was due at least in part to estrogen deficiency. Although ovarian dysfunction induced by immunosympathectomy may be related to alterations in vascular tone, the striking loss of perifollicular noradrenergic innervation caused by NGF Ab suggests that the absence of the nonvascular norepinephrine stimulus to follicular steroidogenesis is a primary factor responsible for the alterations observed. The results indicate that development of the sympathetic innervation of the ovary is NGF dependent and that NGF, by supporting the differentiation and survival of the innervating neurons, contributes to the acquisition of mature ovarian function.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Guanethidine-mediated destruction of ovarian sympathetic nerves disrupts ovarian development and function in rats.

Immunosympathectomy produced by treatment of newborn rats with antibodies to nerve growth factor (NGF) delays ovarian development and disrupts estrous cyclicity. While these alterations have been ascribed to loss of sympathetic neurons innervating the ovary, the treatment also causes partial loss of ovarian sensory innervation. The present experiments were undertaken to determine if selective interference with ovarian noradrenergic/sympathetic action would result in alterations of ovarian development similar to those caused by NGF antibodies (NGF Ab). We have used two approaches to disrupt catecholamine action on ovarian cells: 1) inhibition of beta-adrenoreceptors by local delivery of receptor blockers to the ovaries of juvenile rats; and 2) elimination of the sympathetic innervation by long term postnatal treatment with guanethidine (GD), an adrenergic neuron blocking agent. When GD is administered chronically it produces an autoimmune-mediated destruction of peripheral sympathetic nerves, without affecting cholinergic or sensory neurons. Of the receptor blockers tested, FM-24, a nonreversible antagonist, resulted in a sustained 70% decrease in available receptors throughout the 10-day period studied. In spite of this, the timing of puberty, assessed by the age at vaginal opening and first ovulation, was not delayed, suggesting that activation of the remaining receptors by an intact innervation suffices to maintain a normal noradrenergic influence. GD treatment initiated at the end of the first week of postnatal life and maintained for three weeks slowed the juvenile-peripubertal rate of body growth, delayed the time of vaginal opening and first ovulation, and disrupted subsequent estrous cyclicity, but did not affect the animals' fertility. The ovaries of GD-treated rats exhibited a striking loss of sympathetic (norepinephrine and neuropeptide Y) nerves but a normal sensory innervation (represented by fibers containing calcitonin gene-related peptide). The concentration of beta-adrenoreceptors in granulosa cells was reduced, suggesting follicular immaturity. Direct assessment of this inference by morphometric analysis of the ovaries revealed that follicular development was retarded. The progesterone and estrogen response of juvenile ovaries to gonadotropins in vitro were also reduced. At this time, circulating LH levels were slightly decreased, but neither LHRH content in the median eminence nor the LHRH response to prostaglandin E2 in vitro were affected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1989

Changes in cardiac neuropeptide Y after experimental myocardial infarction in rat.

We have investigated the hypothesis that neuropeptide Y (NPY) is released from noradrenergic sympathetic nerves during experimentally induced myocardial infarction. A left thoracotomy was performed, the left main coronary artery ligated, and the animals sacrificed 4 or 48 h later. NPY levels in heart tissue from these rats and sham-operated controls were measured with radioimmunoassay. Levels of NPY in the right atrium were greater than other regions of the rat heart. After ligation of the left coronary artery, the concentration of NPY in the infarcted area of the left ventricle was reduced at 4 and 48 h when compared to a similar area in sham-operated rats. NPY levels in the septum were unchanged. The results suggest that during myocardial infarction, NPY is released from nerves in the infarcted region and may deleteriously affect increased collateral blood flow surrounding the infarcted tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasopressin (AVP) in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial axis of salt-loaded or Brattleboro rats.

A close anatomical relationship between nerve terminals containing neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasopressin (AVP) has been demonstrated in the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON). Furthermore, injections of NPY into the SON increased plasma concentrations of AVP in the rat. These data suggest a potential involvement of hypothalamic NPY in fluid homeostasis in the rat. Therefore, we have studied the effect of elevated plasma osmolality on the concentration of NPY and AVP in the hypothalamus and neurointermediate lobe (NIL) of the pituitary gland. Furthermore, we measured the concentration of NPY in the AVP-deficient Brattleboro rat, which suffers from diabetes insipidus and hyperosmolality. Salt-loading increased plasma osmolality and the concentration of AVP from 2.0 +/- 0.5 to 4.1 +/- 0.6 pg/ml after 7 days. The concentration of NPY in the NIL doubled after 7 days of salt-loading, from 7.9 +/- 0.6 ng/mg protein to 15.2 +/- 1.4 ng/mg protein, whereas AVP concentrations fell from 2285.7 +/- 210.9 ng/mg protein to 187.5 +/- 2.5 ng/mg protein. AVP concentrations in the ME increased transiently after 2 days of salt-loading and returned to control levels after 7 days. In contrast, NPY concentrations in the ME were unchanged at 2 days and were increased 61% after 7 days. NPY concentrations also were significantly elevated after 7 days of salt-loading in the preoptic area (POA) and mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH). The concentration of NPY in the NIL of the homozygous Brattleboro rat was 2-fold greater than in the heterozygous Brattleboro rat and 4-fold greater than in Sprague-Dawley rats used as controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Localization and characterization of neuropeptide Y-like peptides in the brain and islet organ of the anglerfish (Lophius americanus).

Results from a previous report demonstrate that more than one molecular form of neuropeptide Y-like peptide may be present in the islet organ of the anglerfish (Lophius americanus). Most of the neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactive material was anglerfish peptide YG, which is expressed in a subset of islet cells, whereas an additional neuropeptide Y-like peptide(s) was localized in islet nerves. To learn more about the neuropeptide Y-like peptides in islet nerves, we have employed immunohistochemical and biochemical methods to compare peptides found in anglerfish islets and brain. Using antisera that selectively react with either mammalian forms of neuropeptide Y or with anglerfish peptide YG, subsets of neurons were found in the brain that labelled with only one or the other of the antisera. In separate sections, other neurons that were labelled with either antiserum exhibited similar morphologies. Peptides from brains and islets were subjected to gel filtration and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Radioimmunoassays employing either the neuropeptide Y or peptide YG antisera were used to examine chromatographic eluates. Immunoreactive peptides having retention times of human neuropeptide Y and porcine neuropeptide Y were identified in extracts of both brain and islets. This indicates that peptides structurally similar to both of these peptides from the neuropeptide Y-pancreatic polypeptide family are expressed in neurons of anglerfish brain and nerve fibers of anglerfish islets. The predominant form of neuropeptide Y-like peptide in islets was anglerfish peptide YG. Neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive peptides from islet extracts that had chromatographic retention times identical to human neuropeptide Y and porcine neuropeptide Y were present in much smaller quantities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Postnatal development of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in area 17 of normal and visually deprived rhesus monkeys.

Immunocytochemical methods were used to examine neuropeptide Y (NPY) immunoreactive neurons and fibers in area 17 of rhesus monkeys during the first year of life. NPY-immunoreactive (+) neurons are nonpyramidal cells which are either multipolar, bipolar, or bitufted in shape. They occur most frequently in layer 6 and the subjacent white matter, are sparser in the supragranular layers, and absent from layer 4C. Labeled somata in the supragranular layers are smaller compared to those in layer 6 and the white matter. A typical axon originates from the NPY+ soma or from a primary dendrite and frequently is varicose. Distribution and morphologies of NPY+ neurons in area 17 of infants are similar to those of adult monkeys. Thus, it seems that NPY+ neurons in rhesus monkeys are mature from birth. NPY+ fibers occur in area 17 from birth; however, they differ in density and distribution from those of older infant and adult monkeys. At birth, a prominent fiber plexus is found in the deepest part of layer 1, and another in the white matter. Immunoreactive processes are sparse in the remaining cortical gray, except for some vertical fibers extending from pia to white matter. By 4 months of age, labeled fibers form a coarse network in layers 2, 3, 5, and 6. In addition, a distinct plexus extends through layers 4B, 4A, and the lowest aspect of layer 3. Also, a thin immunoreactive fiber band is found at the bottom of layer 4C. In the remainder of layer 4C, NPY+ fibers are scant. The supragranular layers also exhibit a unique immunoreactive "snarl" of fibers. Increases in density of NPY+ processes in the older infants are gradual so that between 7 and 13 months of age, NPY+ fibers appear to have achieved adultlike densities. These observations indicate that NPY+ fibers in area 17 of newborn rhesus monkeys undergo postnatal maturation which reaches a plateau around 4 months of age. After monocular visual deprivation from birth to 4 months of age, either by eyelid suture or by occlusion with an opaque contact lens, density and distribution of NPY+ neurons and fibers, including snarls, appear similar to those of age-matched undeprived infants. Thus, disruption of the normal binocular input does not seem to arrest the maturation of the NPY system in area 17 of rhesus monkeys during a sensitive period of early postnatal development.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Destruction of the dorsal anterior hypothalamic region suppresses pulsatile release of follicle stimulating hormone but not luteinizing hormone.

The region of the paraventricular nucleus-dorsal anterior hypothalamic area (PVN-DAHA) previously was implicated in the control of tonic FSH secretion. However, the role that this hypothalamic area plays in governing pulsatile FSH release is unknown. To examine this question, radiofrequency (RF) lesions were produced bilaterally in the PVN-DAHA of adult female rats which had been ovariectomized for 4 weeks. Control animals received sham lesions. After a recovery period of 1 week, all rats were fitted with jugular cannulae. The next day sequential blood samples were withdrawn from conscious, undisturbed rats at 10-min intervals for 3 h. Control animals displayed secretory peaks of FSH in plasma with a frequency of 4.0 +/- 0.44/3-hour period (or 1 peak/40-50 min). LH in plasma pulsed at a frequency of 5.8 +/- 0.49 peaks/3 h (or 1 peak/20-30 min). Both of these control values were in agreement with previous studies. RF lesion of the PVN-DAHA reduced FSH peak frequency to 1.2 +/- 0.37 peaks/3 h (p less than 0.001) and also significantly suppressed the mean peak height and trough values for FSH (p less than 0.001). In contrast, none of these parameters for pulsatile LH secretion was altered by the lesion. Immediately after the 3-hour sampling period, synthetic LHRH (50 ng/100 g BW) was infused intravenously into rats and blood samples withdrawn 10 and 40 min later to determine whether the responsiveness of the pituitary gland had changed as a result of the lesion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Blockade of growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) activity in the pituitary and hypothalamus of the conscious rat with a peptidic GRF antagonist.

Microinjection of synthetic GRF into the cerebroventricles or hypothalamus of the rat produces a number of neural effects, including the suppression of GH secretion, possibly representing a negative ultrashort loop autoregulation of GRF and/or stimulation of somatostatin neurosecretion. To demonstrate that such neuromodulation acts physiologically through endogenous GRF activity, the peptidic GRF antagonist (N-Ac-Tyr1,D-Arg2)GRF-(1-29)-NH2 was used to block the action of GRF on its presumed receptors in the hypothalamus. First, to establish the efficacy of the antagonist to block GRF receptors in the anterior pituitary, we injected the antagonist iv at doses of 2, 20, and 50 micrograms or saline (controls) into conscious male rats fitted with jugular cannulae. Sequential blood sampling every 15 min for 6 h between 1000-1600 h showed that 50 micrograms antagonist, iv, significantly suppressed the two periods of spontaneous release of radioimmunoassayable GH in controls in the morning and afternoon. A dose of 20 micrograms, iv, lowered mean plasma GH between 1400-1500 h (P less than 0.025), while the 2-microgram dose was without effect. The GRF antagonist was then microinjected into the third ventricle (3V) of conscious male rats at doses of 0.5 and 8.0 ng in 2 microliter sterile saline. The 8.0-ng dose of 3V antagonist elicited a 3-fold increase in the morning peak of GH (nanograms per ml): 3V antagonist, 159.0 +/- 62.0; 3V control, 51.0 +/- 21.9 (P less than 0.05). The 0.5-ng dose was without effect. Finally, we observed that pretreatment with the GRF antagonist 3V (10 ng), followed 15 min later by 10 ng rat GRF administered 3V, completely blocked the GRF-induced suppression of pulsatile GH release observed earlier. Both the systemic and central effects of the antagonist were specific to the control of GH, since PRL concentrations were unaltered. These results 1) have demonstrated the ability of a peptidic GRF antagonist to specifically suppress pulsatile GH release after its systemic administration, presumably by acting on pituitary GRF receptors, and 2) support the notion that GRF receptors are also present in the hypothalamus and are available for the physiological mediation of GRF-induced inhibition of GH release by a central mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Neuropeptide-Y stimulation of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone secretion from the median eminence in vitro by estrogen-dependent and extracellular Ca2+-independent mechanisms.

The roles of estrogen and extracellular calcium (Ca2+) in neuropeptide-Y (NPY)-stimulated LHRH release from median eminence (ME) fragments in vitro were examined. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats received one or several sc implants of Silastic tubes containing estradiol benzoate (235 micrograms/ml sesame oil) or vehicle. Plasma estrogen concentrations were similar to levels during the estrous cycle. These estrogen treatments were equally effective in reducing the elevated plasma levels of LH in vehicle-treated OVX rats. Animals were killed 3 days after implantation, and ME fragments were incubated in medium for 30 min (control), followed by a second 30-min period (test) in medium containing NPY or potassium chloride (K+). Estrogen treatment increased the basal release of LHRH and the ME concentration of LHRH in a dose-related fashion. NPY (0.1-10 microM) increased LHRH secretion in a dose-related manner from ME fragments obtained from estrogen-treated OVX rats, but had no effect on MEs from hormonally untreated OVX rats. Treatment with higher doses of estrogen enhanced the LHRH secretory response of ME fragments to NPY (1-10 microM). K+-stimulated LHRH release from ME fragments from estrogen-treated rats was completely eliminated in Ca2+-free medium containing EGTA. In contrast, LHRH release elicited by NPY (10 microM) was unchanged in Ca2+-free medium in both the absence and presence of cobalt chloride (Co2+). Decreasing the Ca2+ concentration from 2.5 to 0.25 mM reduced K+-stimulated LHRH release 7-fold, while NPY-stimulated LHRH secretion was not affected. These results indicate that NPY stimulation of LHRH release from the ME in vitro is related to prior circulating levels of estrogen, but does not require extracellular Ca2+ in the incubation medium. NPY may enhance LHRH release in an estrogen-dependent manner during the estrous cycle and before the LH surge on proestrous.

Animals↗