Increased Sensitivity of Monoamine Release in the Supraoptic Nucleus in Late Pregnancy: Region- and Stimulus-Dependent Responses

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 430-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. A. Tobin ◽  
G. Leng ◽  
M. Ludwig ◽  
A. J. Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Supraoptic Nucleus ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Monoamine Release ◽  
Increased Sensitivity

Effect of progesterone on the activation of neurones of the supraoptic nucleus during parturition

Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 367-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
IA Antonijevic ◽  
JA Russell ◽  
RJ Bicknell ◽  
G Leng ◽  
AJ Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Progesterone Receptor ◽  
Supraoptic Nucleus ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Endogenous Opioids ◽  
Opioid Antagonist ◽  
Endogenous Opioid ◽  
Fos Expression ◽  
Oxytocin Neurones ◽  
Supraoptic Nuclei

Parturition is driven by a pulsatile pattern of oxytocin secretion, resulting from burst firing activity of supraoptic oxytocin neurones and reflected by induction of Fos expression. Rats were injected with progesterone on day 20 of pregnancy to investigate the role of the decreasing progesterone:ratio oestrogen ratio, which precedes delivery, in the activation of supraoptic neurones. Progesterone delayed the onset of birth by 28 h compared with vehicle (control) and prolonged the duration of delivery, which was overcome by pulsatile injections of oxytocin, indicating that the slow delivery may reflect impaired oxytocin secretion. Parturient rats pretreated with progesterone had fewer Fos immunoreactive nuclei in the supraoptic nucleus than did parturient rats pretreated with vehicle. The number of Fos immunoreactive nuclei was not restored after oxytocin injection, indicating that appropriate activation of oxytocin neurones is impaired by progesterone and also that there is a lack of stimulatory afferent drive. Fos expression increased in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius during parturition in rats pretreated with either vehicle or progesterone, but not in rats that had been pretreated with progesterone and induced with oxytocin, indicating that this input was inhibited. Endogenous opioids inhibit oxytocin neurones in late pregnancy and the opioid antagonist, naloxone, increases Fos expression in supraoptic nuclei by preventing inhibition. However, progesterone attenuated naloxone-induced Fos expression in the supraoptic nucleus in late pregnancy and naloxone administered during parturition did not accelerate the duration of births delayed by progesterone administration, indicating that progesterone does not act by hyperactivation of endogenous opioid tone. RU486, a progesterone receptor antagonist, enhanced supraoptic neurone Fos expression in late pregnancy, indicating progesterone receptor-mediated actions. Thus, progesterone withdrawal is necessary for appropriate activation of supraoptic and tractus solitarius neurones during parturition.

Oxytocin receptor binding in the hypothalamus during gestation in rats

2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (1) ◽  
pp. R53-R58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven L. Bealer ◽  
David L. Lipschitz ◽  
Gina Ramoz ◽  
William R. Crowley
Keyword(s):  
Supraoptic Nucleus ◽  
Preoptic Area ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Stria Terminalis ◽  
Bed Nucleus ◽  
Oxytocin Receptors ◽  
Exogenous Progesterone ◽  
The Brain

Central oxytocin receptors (OTR) may be involved in adaptations of the brain oxytocin (OT) system during gestation, which are critical for systemic release of OT during parturition and lactation. We used quantitative autoradiography to determine changes in OTR binding in numerous brain sites during the course of gestation in the rat. Furthermore, to evaluate the importance of ovarian steroids in mediating pregnancy-related changes in OTR binding, we measured binding in ovariectomized animals treated with progesterone and/or estrogen, and in pregnant animals treated with exogenous progesterone during late gestation. We found that OTR binding was significantly increased in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) by midgestation ( day 15) compared with control. In addition, there was a further significant increase in OTR binding in these nuclei by late gestation ( day 20). The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and the medial preoptic area (MPOA) also showed significant gestation-associated increases in OTR binding, which were similar during mid- and late pregnancy. Treatment with exogenous progesterone throughout pregnancy did not alter the increase in OTR binding characteristic of late gestation in any of these brain sites. Finally, estrogen treatment in ovariectomized animals resulted in increased OTR binding in the SON, BNST, and MPOA, but not the PVN. These data demonstrate that OTR binding in the hypothalamus is increased during mid- and late-gestation, compared with ovariectomized control animals, which may be mediated by increased estradiol.

Interaction between myometrial relaxants and oxytocin: a comparison between relaxin, cromakalim and salbutamol

1992 ◽  
Vol 135 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Downing ◽  
M. Hollingsworth
Keyword(s):  
Corn Oil ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Hormone Treatment ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Uterine Contractions ◽  
Oestradiol Benzoate ◽  
Oxytocin Infusion ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Spontaneous Contractions

ABSTRACT The influence of treatment with oestradiol on the effects of the uterine relaxants, relaxin, salbutamol (an agonist at β2-adrenoceptors) and cromakalim (a potassium channel opener) and their interactions with the uterine stimulant oxytocin were investigated in vivo in the ovariectomized rat. Oestradiol benzoate (0·4 μg/kg per day) significantly increased sensitivity to cromakalim as an inhibitor of spontaneous uterine contractions compared with vehicle-treated rats by approximately threefold. The same dose of oestradiol benzoate had no effect on uterine sensitivity to salbutamol. Previous studies have shown that this dose of oestradiol benzoate produces a twofold increase in uterine sensitivity to relaxin as an inhibitor of spontaneous contractions. Oestradiol influenced the ability of relaxin to inhibit oxytocin-stimulated uterine contractions. In corn oil-treated rats, uterine responses to relaxin were markedly reduced during oxytocin infusion compared with responses to relaxin before oxytocin; the maximum obtainable response to relaxin was less than 50% inhibition. In oestradiol-treated rats, uterine sensitivity to relaxin during oxytocin infusion was similar to that observed against spontaneous contractions. Cromakalim was able to inhibit uterine contractions during oxytocin infusion in both corn oil- and oestradiol-treated rats, uterine sensitivity to cromakalim being similar in the absence and presence of oxytocin for both hormone treatment groups. Salbutamol was also able to inhibit uterine contractions during oxytocin infusion in both corn oil- and oestradiol-treated rats. Oestradiol treatment increased the potency of salbutamol as an inhibitor of oxytocin-stimulated uterine contractions compared with corn oil treatment by 3·5-fold. The interaction of oestradiol and relaxin during late pregnancy may be important for attenuation of the myometrial response to stimulants. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 135, 29–36

Perinuclear zone and diagonal band lesions enhance angiotensin responses of rat supraoptic neurons

1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (4) ◽  
pp. R916-R922 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. Cunningham ◽  
R. Nissen ◽  
L. P. Renaud
Keyword(s):  
Lateral Hypothalamus ◽  
Supraoptic Nucleus ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Diagonal Band ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Diagonal Band Of Broca ◽  
Lesion Studies ◽  
Supraoptic Neurons ◽  
Vasopressin Neurons

Sinoaortic denervation in the rat is associated with an increased sensitivity of vasopressin neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) to peripheral angiotensin II (ANG II). Lesion studies have indicated that the diagonal band of Broca (DBB) and the perinuclear zone of the SON in the lateral hypothalamus (PNZ) are essential components in the central pathway for the baroreceptor inhibition of vasopressin SON neurons. The present study examined the effect of ibotenate lesions in either the DBB or the lateral hypothalamus, which includes the PNZ, on the responses of SON neurons to peripherally administered ANG II (500 pmol/kg ia). Extracellular recordings obtained from vasopressin SON neurons in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats indicate that DBB and PNZ lesions not only interrupted the baroreceptor-mediated inhibition of SON neurons but also significantly increased the excitatory effects of ANG II on putative vasopressin SON neurons. These results suggest that ibotenate lesions of the DBB and the lateral hypothalamus that include the PNZ affect the ANG II-induced activation of putative vasopressin SON neurons in a manner consistent with results obtained from baroreceptor-denervated rats.

Detection of viruses by electron microscopy: Increased sensitivity by direct micro-ultracentrifugation of samples

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 908-909
Author(s):  
Alain R. Trudel ◽  
M. Trudel
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Observation Time ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Maximum Speed ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Structural Details ◽  
Latex Spheres ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Size Of Particles

AirfugeR (Beckman) direct ultracentrifugation of viral samples on electron microscopy grids offers a rapid way to concentrate viral particles or subunits and facilitate their detection and study. Using the A-100 fixed angle rotor (30°) with a K factor of 19 at maximum speed (95 000 rpm), samples up to 240 μl can be prepared for electron microscopy observation in a few minutes: observation time is decreased and structural details are highlighted. Using latex spheres to calculate the increase in sensitivity compared to the inverted drop procedure, we obtained a 10 to 40 fold increase in sensitivity depending on the size of particles. This technique also permits quantification of viral particles in samples if an aliquot is mixed with latex spheres of known concentration.Direct ultracentrifugation for electron microscopy can be performed on laboratory samples such as gradient or column fractions, infected cell supernatant, or on clinical samples such as urine, tears, cephalo-rachidian liquid, etc..

Acetaminophen: Neonatal hepatotoxicity due to late pregnancy exposure

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 718-719
Author(s):  
G.A. Miranda ◽  
M.A. Arroyo ◽  
C.A. Lucio ◽  
M. Mongeotti ◽  
S.S. Poolsawat
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Toxic Chemicals ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Liver And Kidney ◽  
Neonatal Liver ◽  
Childbearing Women

Exposure to drugs and toxic chemicals, during late pregnancy, is a common occurrence in childbearing women. Some studies have reported that more than 90% of pregnant women use at least 1 prescription; of this, 60% used more than one. Another study indicated that 80% of the consumed drugs were not prescribed, and of this figure, 95% were “over-the-counter” drugs. Acetaminophen, the safest of all over-the-counter drugs, has been reported to induce fetal liver necrosis in man and animals and to have abortifacient and embryocidal action in mice. This study examines the degree to which acetaminophen affects the neonatal liver and kidney, when a fatty diet is simultaneously fed to the mother during late pregnancy.Timed Swiss Webster female mice were gavaged during late pregnancy (days 16-19) with fat suspended acetaminophen at a high dose, HD = 84.50 mg/kg, and a low dose, LD = 42.25 mg/kg; a control group received fat alone.

Preplate neurons in embryonic mouse cortex: Ultrastructural observations using photoconversion of the fluorescent lipophilic dye dil

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 906-907
Author(s):  
Linda C. Hassinger ◽  
James E. Crandall
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Embryonic Mouse ◽  
Cortical Afferents ◽  
Mouse Cortex ◽  
Carbocyanine Dye ◽  
Increased Sensitivity

We have begun to look directly at small numbers of afferent axons to early generated neurons that form the preplate in the developing mouse cortex. The carbocyanine dye Dil (1’1, dioctadecyl-3,3,3’3’-tetramethyl-indocarbocyanine) has proved especially useful for this goal. DiI labels axons and their terminals with greater sensitivity and without some of the disadvantages of axon filling with HRP. The increased sensitivity provided by labeling embryonic axons with DiI has given us new insights into the development of cortical afferents. For instance, we reported originally that afferents from the thalamus were present below the cortex as early as embryonic day 15 (E15) based on HRP injections into mouse embryos. By using DiI placements into the thalamus in aldehyde-fixed brains, we now know that thalamic fibers reach the cortex 24 hrs earlier.

Bayesian removal of noise for increased sensitivity in vector pattern recognition lattice imaging of interfaces

1993 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 994-995
Author(s):  
L. Fei ◽  
P. Fraundorf
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Recognition ◽  
Perfect Crystal ◽  
Unit Cell ◽  
Ion Milling ◽  
Beam Radiation ◽  
Major Interest ◽  
Unit Cells ◽  
Mapping Process ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Electron Microscopes

Interface structure is of major interest in microscopy. With high resolution transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) and scanning probe microscopes, it is possible to reveal structure of interfaces in unit cells, in some cases with atomic resolution. A. Ourmazd et al. proposed quantifying such observations by using vector pattern recognition to map chemical composition changes across the interface in TEM images with unit cell resolution. The sensitivity of the mapping process, however, is limited by the repeatability of unit cell images of perfect crystal, and hence by the amount of delocalized noise, e.g. due to ion milling or beam radiation damage. Bayesian removal of noise, based on statistical inference, can be used to reduce the amount of non-periodic noise in images after acquisition. The basic principle of Bayesian phase-model background subtraction, according to our previous study, is that the optimum (rms error minimizing strategy) Fourier phases of the noise can be obtained provided the amplitudes of the noise is given, while the noise amplitude can often be estimated from the image itself.

The Effect of Stapedectomy on the Loudness of One’s Own Voice

1965 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Melnick
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ear ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Sound Energy ◽  
Loudness Function ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Increased Sensitivity

Five subjects with normal middle ear mechanisms, and otosclerotic patients, before and after stapedectomy, matched the loudness of their voices to the loudness of a 125-cps-sawtooth noise. The results showed loudness matching functions with gradual slopes, less than 1.00, for the normal subjects and the patients prior to stapedectomy. Post-surgically, the loudness function for the patients increased in steepness to considerably more than 1.00. These results are explained, most logically, in terms of increased sensitivity of the altered middle ear to sound energy generated by the listener’s own voice.

Modified Earpieces and CROS for High Frequency Hearing Losses

1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Dodds ◽  
Earl Harford
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Intensity Level ◽  
Test Results ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Difficult Cases

Persons with a high frequency hearing loss are difficult cases for whom to find suitable amplification. We have experienced some success with this problem in our Hearing Clinics using a specially designed earmold with a hearing aid. Thirty-five cases with high frequency hearing losses were selected from our clinical files for analysis of test results using standard, vented, and open earpieces. A statistical analysis of test results revealed that PB scores in sound field, using an average conversational intensity level (70 dB SPL), were enhanced when utilizing any one of the three earmolds. This result was due undoubtedly to increased sensitivity provided by the hearing aid. Only the open earmold used with a CROS hearing aid resulted in a significant improvement in discrimination when compared with the group’s unaided PB score under earphones or when comparing inter-earmold scores. These findings suggest that the inclusion of the open earmold with a CROS aid in the audiologist’s armamentarium should increase his flexibility in selecting hearing aids for persons with a high frequency hearing loss.

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