Suckling-induced activation of neuronal input to the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus: Possible candidates for mediating the activation of DMH neuropeptide Y neurons during lactation

Peilin Chen, M. Susan Smith

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    23 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Activation of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) neuronal system in the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (DMH) during lactation in the rat is in part due to neural impulses arising from the suckling stimulus. However, the afferent neuronal input to the DMH that is activated during lactation and is responsible for activation of NPY neurons is currently unknown. Previously, using cFos as a marker for neuronal activation, we identified several brain areas in the lactating animals that were activated by the suckling stimulus. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determine if any of these suckling activated areas project directly to the DMH. The retrograde tracer, fluorogold (FG), was injected into the DMH on day 4 postpartum. FG-injected lactating rats were then deprived of their eight-pup litters on day 9 postpartum, and 48 h later, the pups were returned to the females to reinitiate the suckling stimulus for 90 min and induce cFos expression. The animals were then perfused and the brains were subjected to double-label immunohistochemistry to visualize both FG- and cFos-positive cells. Substantial numbers of FG/cFos double-labeled cells were found in forebrain regions, including the preoptic area, lateral septal nucleus, ventral subiculum, and supramammillary nucleus, and in brainstem regions, including the lateral parabrachial nucleus, periaqeductal gray, and ventrolateral medulla. In conclusion, these areas are potentially important candidates for mediating the activation of the NPY neuronal system in the DMH during lactation.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)11-20
    Number of pages10
    JournalBrain research
    Volume984
    Issue number1-2
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Sep 12 2003

    Keywords

    • Dorsomedial nucleus
    • Lactation
    • Neuropeptide Y
    • Retrograde tracing
    • Suckling stimulus
    • cFos

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Neuroscience
    • Molecular Biology
    • Clinical Neurology
    • Developmental Biology

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