scholarly journals Identification of salsolinol in the mediobasal hypothalamus of lactating ewes and its relation to suckling-induced prolactin and GH release

2008 ◽  
Vol 198 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Misztal ◽  
Konrad Górski ◽  
Dorota Tomaszewska-Zaremba ◽  
Edyta Molik ◽  
Katarzyna Romanowicz

The push–pull perfusions of the infundibular nucleus–median eminence (IN/ME) were made in lactating ewes (n=7) twice, to identify dopamine (DA)-derived salsolinol and the changes in its extracellular concentration in response to suckling. The perfusate collecting period in every ewe consisted of control non-suckling period, 1000–1230 h (five perfusates), and suckling period, 1230–1500 h (next five perfusates). Simultaneously, blood samples were collected from 1000 to 1500 h at 10-min intervals. The perfusate concentrations of salsolinol and DA were measured by HPLC, and plasma prolactin and GH concentrations were assayed by the RIA. Mean concentrations of salsolinol in perfusates collected from the anterior and posterior parts of the IN/ME (according to post-mortem localization of a perfusion site) increased significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.001 respectively) during the suckling period, when compared with those noted during the non-suckling period. While no DA was found in the anterior part, only vestigial amounts of DA were found in a few perfusates collected from the posterior part. Salsolinol was not detected in the IN/ME of ewes 10 weeks after weaning (seasonal anoestrus). Mean plasma prolactin and GH concentrations during suckling were significantly (P<0.001) higher than those noted during the non-suckling period. In conclusion, our current study reveals that salsolinol is present in the IN/ME of lactating ewes and that its extracellular concentration increases during suckling. Moreover, it supports the role of salsolinol as a neurotransmitter involved in the regulatory process of prolactin secretion at least during lactation.

Development ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 124 (11) ◽  
pp. 2143-2154 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Struhl ◽  
D.A. Barbash ◽  
P.A. Lawrence

The abdomen of adult Drosophila, like that of other insects, is formed by a continuous epithelium spanning several segments. Each segment is subdivided into an anterior (A) and posterior (P) compartment, distinguished by activity of the selector gene engrailed (en) in P but not A compartment cells. Here we provide evidence that Hedgehog (Hh), a protein secreted by P compartment cells, spreads into each A compartment across the anterior and the posterior boundaries to form opposing concentration gradients that organize cell pattern and polarity. We find that anteriorly and posteriorly situated cells within the A compartment respond in distinct ways to Hh: they express different combinations of genes and form different cell types. They also form polarised structures that, in the anterior part, point down the Hh gradient and, in the posterior part, point up the gradient - therefore all structures point posteriorly. Finally, we show that ectopic Hh can induce cells in the middle of each A compartment to activate en. Where this happens, A compartment cells are transformed into an ectopic P compartment and reorganise pattern and polarity both within and around the transformed tissue. Many of these results are unexpected and lead us to reassess the role of gradients and compartments in patterning insect segments.


1994 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Dicks ◽  
A J F Russel ◽  
G A Lincoln

Abstract The effects of the suppression or elevation of plasma prolactin concentrations in spring on the timing of the reactivation of the hair follicles and the timing of the spring moult were investigated in cashmere goats. Thirty eight adult female goats, housed under conditions of natural photoperiod at 55°55′N from mid-December until May, were allocated to four groups starting on 5 January: ten served as untreated controls, eight received 2 mg ovine prolactin subcutaneously every 12 h for 7 weeks (PRL), twelve received 35 mg bromocriptine intramuscularly every 14 days for 17 weeks (BCR) and eight received injections of both ovine prolactin and bromocriptine at the above dose rates for 7 weeks (PRL+BCR). In the PRL group there was an earlier reactivation of the secondary hair follicles (PRL vs control, proportion of secondary follicles in anagen, weeks 1–5, P<0·01) associated with an earlier moult of secondary fibres (cashmere) but no significant difference in the activity of the primary hair follicles. In the BCR group there was a delay in the reactivation of both the secondary and primary hair follicles (BCR vs control, proportion of secondary and primary hair follicles in anagen, weeks 5–13, P<0·01) and a delay in the moult. In the PRL+BCR group there was an early reactivation and moult similar to the PRL group. Voluntary food intake (VFI) and liveweight were also measured. Only in the BCR group was there a decrease in VFI compared with the controls but with no effect on liveweight. It was concluded that the seasonal increase in prolactin secretion which normally occurs in spring is causally involved in the reactivation of primary and secondary hair follicles and moulting in cashmere goats. Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 143, 441–448


1981 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. WEBB ◽  
G. E. LAMMING

Blood samples taken on alternate days through indwelling jugular venous catheters from 12 suckled cows between days 14 and 48 post partum contained significantly less prolactin than samples collected on intermediate days by jugular venepuncture. Samples taken through the catheter every 2 h for 72 h periods revealed a repetitive daily biphasic pattern of prolactin secretion with low concentrations at 09.00 and 19.00 h and high concentrations at 13.00 and 23.00 h. In two groups of cows, one group calving at the beginning of March (increasing photoperiod) and the other calving during June (decreasing photoperiod), there was a significant negative correlation between stage of lactation and plasma prolactin concentrations in samples taken by venepuncture.


1990 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Taya ◽  
S. Sasamoto

ABSTRACT The role of the adrenal gland in the regulation of gonadotrophin and prolactin secretion in the lactating rat was investigated. Changes in secretion of LH, FSH, prolactin, ACTH, β-lipotrophin (β-LPH), inhibin, corticosterone and progesterone after adrenalectomy were examined during the second half of lactation. Follicular maturation was determined by the ability of the follicles to ovulate in response to 10IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Adrenalectomy on day 10 of lactation prevented an increase in plasma concentrations of LH and FSH in response to ovariectomy performed at the same time as adrenalectomy, and markedly stimulated secretion of ACTH, β-LPH and prolactin. Adrenalectomy reduced the number of follicles capable of ovulating in response to hCG. Concentrations of inhibin and progesterone in the plasma significantly decreased after adrenalectomy, indicating that development of ovulatory follicles and luteal function had been suppressed. Abolishing the increase in plasma concentrations of LH and inducing a decrease in FSH in the plasma by adrenalectomy therefore prevented maturation of a new set of follicles usually seen during the second half of lactation in rats. The decrease in plasma concentrations of LH also inhibited the ability of the corpus luteum to secrete progesterone, although high concentrations of plasma prolactin were maintained in adrenalectomized lactating rats. These results indicate that the pituitary-adrenal system is capable of influencing the maintenance of a normal secretion of gonadotrophin and prolactin as well as the maintenance of ovarian function during lactation in the rat. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 125, 279—285


1989 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. López-Calderón ◽  
C. Ariznavarreta ◽  
M. D. Calderón ◽  
J. A. F. Tresguerres ◽  
M. I. Gonzalez-Quijano

ABSTRACT The response of prolactin to chronic stress in intact, adrenalectomized and adrenomedullectomized male rats was studied. Immobilization stress in intact animals induced a significant increase in plasma concentrations of prolactin after 20 and 45 min and a significant decrease when the rats were submitted to chronic restraint (6 h daily for 4 days). Five weeks after adrenomedullectomy, plasma prolactin and corticosterone responses to chronic stress were not modified. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of chronic stress on prolactin secretion was totally suppressed by adrenalectomy. When treated with dexamethasone during the 4 days of restraint, adrenalectomized stressed rats showed similar plasma concentrations of prolactin to the intact stressed rats. These data indicate that the adrenal cortex is able to play an inhibitory role on prolactin secretion during stress only through a prolonged release of glucocorticoids. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 120, 269–273


1985 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Horn ◽  
H. M. Fraser ◽  
G. Fink

ABSTRACT The possible role of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) in causing the pro-oestrous surge of prolactin was investigated in conscious female rats by passive immunization with a specific anti-TRH serum raised in sheep. Blood samples were withdrawn through a previously implanted intra-atrial cannula. The i.p. injection of 1 ml anti-TRH serum, but not non-immune sheep serum, at 13.00 h of pro-oestrus delayed by about 1 h the onset of the prolactin surge, but the peak of the surge was similar to that in animals injected with the non-immune serum. The plasma concentrations of TSH were significantly reduced by the anti-TRH serum, but plasma concentrations of LH were not significantly affected. These results show that TRH may play an important role in the timing and initiation, but not the maintenance of the prolactin surge in the pro-oestrous rat. J. Endocr. (1985) 104, 205–209


1991 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Grattan ◽  
R. L. W. Averill

ABSTRACT A nocturnal surge of prolactin secretion occurs in the dark period preceding parturition in the rat. The aim of this study was to examine the role of the placenta in the control of this prolactin surge. Plasma prolactin and progesterone were measured by radioimmunoassay in serial blood samples collected after surgical removal of conceptuses during late pregnancy, and after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of placental lactogen (PL) before the prolactin surge. In intact control animals, prolactin secretion remained low until a nocturnal surge of secretion occurred in the dark period preceding parturition, peaking at 269±51 (s.e.m.) μg/l at 03.00 h on day 21. Progesterone levels fell from > 200 nmol/l on day 19 to <40 nmol/l by 12.00 h on day 20 of pregnancy. PL levels during late pregnancy were modified by partial or complete removal of conceptuses at 10.00 h on day 19 of pregnancy. Removal of all but one or two conceptuses did not change the normal pattern of prolactin or progesterone secretion. Removal of all conceptuses, however, induced a large nocturnal surge of prolactin secretion, peaking at 211·7±78 μg/l at 03.00 h on day 20, 24 h earlier than the surge in intact animals. Progesterone levels after removal of all conceptuses fell to <40 nmol/l by 23.00 h on day 19, approximately 12 h before the decline in intact animals. Maintenance of increased progesterone levels after conceptus removal using silicone tubing implants significantly (P <0·05) reduced the peak of the premature prolactin surge to 79·7 ±18 μg/l at 05.00 h on day 20. To determine whether PL could act at the hypothalamic level to inhibit the prolactin surge, human PL was injected into the lateral ventricle. PL injected i.c.v. at 17.00 h on day 7 of pregnancy completely abolished both the expected diurnal and nocturnal prolactin surges in the subsequent 24 h. By contrast, the same treatment on day 20 of pregnancy had no effect on the ante-partum prolactin surge. These results demonstrate two changes in the mechanisms controlling prolactin secretion on the last day of pregnancy compared with prolactin secretion during early pregnancy. First, feedback inhibition of prolactin secretion by PL which occurs at mid-pregnancy was not functional on the last day of pregnancy. Secondly, progesterone which promotes the nocturnal prolactin surges of early pregnancy, inhibited prolactin secretion during late pregnancy. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 130, 401–407


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginija Gaigalaite ◽  
Jurate Dementaviciene ◽  
Augenijus Vilimas ◽  
Danute Kalibatiene

AbstractBackgroundIt is not clear whether the configuration of the posterior part of the circle of Willis (CW) depends on the proximal part of the vertebrobasilar system. Our aim is to evaluate the posterior part of CW in association with different size of vertebral arteries (VA) in subjects free from stroke and TIA.Materials and methodsThe present study was based on a sample of 923 subjects free from stroke and TIA who were examined from 2013 through 2018. All the participants underwent MRA examination. The duplex ultrasonographic examination of the extracranial arteries (vertebral and carotid) was performed. VA was defined as hypoplastic (VAH) when VA diameter in the entire course was less than 2.5 mm. We classified the posterior communicating arteries (PCoA) as presence PCoA, absence/hypoplastic PCoA and fetal CW (FCW). The comparison of the posterior part of CW was made in subjects with normal VA and VAH of a different degree (communicating with basilar artery (VAH-BA) and not communicating with the basilar artery and terminating in PICA, neck or aplasia (VAH-PICA)).ResultsFCW was found in 15.9% of subjects, bilaterally – in 2.3 %. The coexisting VAH was more common in subjects with FCW rather than in those with adult CW (respectively, 28.6% and 13.4%, p<0.001). Aplasia of A1 of the anterior cerebral artery, i.e. blood flow redistribution in the anterior part of anterior circulation in the majority of cases (in 6 of 7 cases) was found ipsilaterally to FCW. FCW was recorded in 50% of the subjects with VA - PICA in comparison with 13.5% of those with normal VA and 22.8% with VAH - BA, p<0.005. On the contrary, absence/hypoplasia of both PCoA was mostly found in the group with normal VA in comparison with VAH-BA and VAH-PICA (accordingly, 50.7%, 38.6% and 12.5%, p<0.01).ConclusionIndividuals with VAH have a different pattern of the posterior part of CW in comparison with those with normal VA. With the increasing degree of VAH, the proportion of FCW increases, while the proportion of absence/hypoplastic of both PCoA decreases.


Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
LC Gonzalez ◽  
L Pinilla ◽  
M Tena-Sempere ◽  
C Dieguez ◽  
FF Casanueva ◽  
...  

Recent data indicate that leptin is involved in the control of reproductive function. Experiments were carried out to analyse the role of endogenous leptin in the regulation of LH and prolactin secretion during the afternoon of pro-oestrus and that induced by ovarian steroids in ovariectomized rats. In the first experiment, cyclic female rats were implanted with intra-auricular and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) cannulae and, at pro-oestrus, were injected (i.c.v.) with 10 microliters normal rabbit serum or leptin antiserum (at 13:00 and 14:00 h). Blood samples were obtained at 10:00 h and at intervals of 1 h between 13:00 and 20:00 h. In the second experiment, female rats in pro-oestrus were injected with normal rabbit serum or leptin antiserum at 16:00 and 18:00 h and blood samples were taken every 10 min between 18:00 and 20:00 h. In the third experiment, adult female rats that had been ovariectomized 2 weeks before were implanted with intra-auricular and i.c.v. cannulae and treated with oestradiol benzoate (30 micrograms s.c.) at 10:00 h and progesterone (2 mg s.c.) 48 h later. Normal rabbit serum (10 microliters) or leptin antiserum (10 microliters) were injected (i.c.v.) at 13:00 and 14:00 h, and blood samples were obtained at 10:00 h and at intervals of 1 h between 13:00 and 20:00 h. In the fourth experiment, hemipituitaries from ovariectomized steroid-treated female rats were incubated in the presence of leptin116-130 (an active fragment of the native molecule), GnRH or leptin + GnRH. Prolactin and LH secretion during the afternoon of pro-oestrus in females treated with leptin antiserum was similar to that observed in animals injected with normal rabbit serum. In ovariectomized female rats, the steroid-induced LH surge increased slightly after administration of leptin antiserum, whereas the prolactin surge remained unchanged. In vitro, leptin116-130 (10(-5) to 10(-8) mol l-1) inhibited LH secretion and modulated the effect of GnRH on LH release, depending on the concentration of GnRH: leptin116-130 (10(-6) mol l-1) reduced the effectiveness of 10(-7) mol GnRH l-1 and increased that of 10(-9) mol GnRH l-1. In conclusion, these experiments indicate that acute immunoneutralization of endogenous leptin does not interfere with spontaneous or steroid-induced LH and prolactin surges. In addition, the finding that leptin116-130 inhibited LH release and modulated the effectiveness of GnRH in vitro provides evidence of the direct modulatory role of leptin on LH secretion acting at the pituitary.


1980 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
WENDY B. BROWN ◽  
J. M. FORBES

The role of the pineal gland in mediating the stimulatory effect of long daylength on blood levels of prolactin was investigated in 24 growing castrated sheep. Eight were pinealectomized, eight were sham-pinealectomized and eight remained as unoperated control animals. After a preliminary period with 12 h light:12 h darkness (12L: 12D) pairs of similar sheep were allocated to photoperiods of 16L: 8D or 8L: 16D for 15 weeks. Each animal was individually fed at the same level as its partner exposed to the other daylength. Blood samples were taken weekly by jugular venepuncture. On two occasions, once in the preliminary period (12L: 12D) and again 41 days after the start of the subsequent photoperiods, samples were taken through indwelling jugular catheters at frequent intervals for 24 h. The plasma samples were assayed for prolactin by radioimmunoassay and concentrations were higher in samples taken by jugular puncture. There was a consistent positive effect of daylength on plasma prolactin in sheep with pineal glands that did not occur in pinealectomized sheep. In contrast, pinealectomy did not block the marked rise in prolactin that occurred at dusk. It appears that the effect of the photoperiod on levels of plasma prolactin throughout the day and night is not mediated by the same mechanism as that which controls the surge of prolactin at dusk in the sheep.


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